There’s no doubt that several groups at Euro 2024 look extremely open and with the possibility for at least three, if not all four, nations to believe they can reach the knockouts – and Group A is a prime example of that.
By Karl Matchett
While Scotland might be the outsiders and Germany the clear favourites, both the other two will feel they can absolutely claim second place – and why not, given recent form? The only problem might just be that they meet each other immediately.
Hungary and Switzerland both come into this clash knowing it might be the pivotal one which dictates coming second and guaranteeing a spot in the last 16, with no chance to ease themselves into the tournament. It might well be all or nothing, and that means it can go either way: cagey and careful, or all-out on-the-offensive, determined to make their mark and give themselves an enormous step towards a top-two finish.
Captained by Dominik Szoboszlai, supremely well organised, and with just one defeat in their last 16 dating back to late 2022, a third straight appearance at the European Championship makes this Hungary’s best side since their late 1960s/early 70s heyday by a large distance. Their optimism is well-founded, though they may rely on moments of magic from a few key faces, Szoboszlai among them and also Roland Sallai in attack.
As for the Swiss, it’s just one loss in 12 for them too, since the start of 2023, though goalscoring has been somewhat harder to come by for them. With Haris Seferovic finally ousted from the squad, the likes of Noah Okafor, Zeki Amdouni and Ruben Vargas need to take this as their chance to shine in attack. They have long been great in build-up and in terms of off-the-ball shape, but now need one of those approaching-prime-age forwards to really make their mark.
Still, Switzerland have pedigree here. In the last five World Cups, they’ve reached the last 16 on four occasions. At Euro 2020 it was the quarters. And while a few iconic names like Xherdan Shaqiri are still involved on reputation as much as anything, they come to Germany with genuine standouts at club level this season: Inter’s Yann Sommer, Leverkusen’s Granit Xhaka, Monaco’s Denis Zakaria.
Add in Manuel Akanji and Dan Ndoye, both enjoying great club years with Man City and Bologna, and they have a group packed with positivity and a culture of winning. They can upset a huge nation along the way – but first must navigate the lower-key, but just as testing, challenge of Hungary.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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