At least someone on the Switzerland team has a reason to celebrate. Goalkeeper Yann Sommer went home after Wednesday's 3-0 loss to Italy for the birth of his second child, and then rejoined the team Friday. Now for the more difficult task of turning around a failing European Championship campaign.
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With both teams in a must-win situation, Switzerland's game against Turkey on Sunday might just turn into a festival of attacking soccer. A draw is of no use to either as they try to advance to the round of 16.
And the bigger the margin of victory, the better.
A win would give Switzerland four points in Group A and a good chance of qualifying as one of the four best third-place teams — or even overhauling second-place Wales. However, a goal difference of minus-3 is dragging the Swiss down. Depending on results in other groups, a one-goal win over Turkey might not be enough.
“The whole nation is disappointed. It's fine to be disappointed, it happens in sport,” Switzerland midfielder Steven Zuber said.
“We know what the feeling is like to be on the other side, and that's our aim — to be on the other side on Sunday.”
Turkey lost both of its opening games without scoring a goal, and coach Senol Gunes has apologized to fans. A spot in the last 16 is still possible, but it would require a big win over the Swiss to turn around a minus-5 goal difference and for results elsewhere to go Turkey's way.
Just like against Wales on Wednesday, the match on Sunday will feel like a Turkey home game with traveling fans and many locals in Azerbaijan backing the team.
The Swiss haven't scored much, either, netting only one goal in their two matches. Since the loss to Italy, many have turned on coach Vladimir Petkovic for what they see as negative tactics and a lack of creativity.
Petkovic has been in charge since 2014, making him the third longest-serving coach at Euro 2020, and is heading into his 76th game. He had never lost a group game at a major tournament before being beaten by Italy.
Before the group stage, Switzerland had been hoping to end its run of three consecutive exits in the round of 16 at major tournaments. Now even reaching that stage would be an achievement. (AP)
Match And Telecast Details
Match: UEFA European Championship 2021, Group A match between Switzerland and Turkey
Date: June 20 (Sunday), 2021
Time: 9:30 PM IST
Venue: Baku Olympic Stadium
TV Channels: Sony Sports Network
Live Streaming: SonyLIV, Jio TV
Head-to-Head: Switzerland has won four matches while Turkey has won eight. Four matches have ended in a draw.
Predicted XIs:
Switzerland: Sommer; Elvedi, Schar, Akanji; Mbabu, Freuler, Xhaka, Rodriguez; Shaqiri; Embolo, Gavranovic
Turkey: Ugurcan Cakir; Zeki Celik, Merih Demiral, Caglar Soyuncu, Mert Muldur; Kaan Ayhan, Irfan Can Kahveci, Hakan Calhanoglu, Cengiz Under, Ibrahim Dervisoglu; Burak Yilmaz
Previous Match XIs
Switzerland's XI vs Italy: Sommer; Elvedi, Schar, Akanji; Mbabu, Xhaka, Freuler, Rodríguez; Shaqiri; Embolo, Seferovic
Switzerland's XI vs Wales: Sommer; Elvedi, Schar, Akanji; Mbabu, Xhaka, Freuler, Rodríguez; Shaqiri; Embolo, Seferovic
Turkey's XI Vs Wales: Ugurcan Cakir; Zeki Celik, Kaan Ayhan, Caglar Soyuncu, Umut Meras; Kenan Karaman, Hakan Calhanoglu, Okay Yokuslu, Ozan Tufan, Cengiz Under; Burak Yilmaz
Turkey's XI Vs Italy: Ugurcan Cakir; Zeki Celik, Kaan Ayhan, Caglar Soyuncu, Umut Meras; Kenan Karaman, Hakan Calhanoglu, Okay Yokuslu, Ozan Tufan, Cengiz Under; Burak Yilmaz
