MX23RW : Thursday, November 28 08:22:18| >> :600:494437:494437:
[monks data]
Switzerland national football team
European Championship | Quarter-Finals
Jul 2, 2021 at 5pm UK
Saint Petersburg Stadium
Spain national football team

Switzerland
1 - 1
Spain

Shaqiri (68')
Widmer (67'), Gavranovic (120+1')
Freuler (77')
FT
(aet)
Zakaria (8' og.)
Laporte (90+3')
Spain win 3-1 on penalties

Luis Enrique expecting tough examination by Switzerland

Luis Enrique expecting tough examination by Switzerland
© Reuters
The sides will go head-to-head for a place in the Euro 2020 semi-finals in St Petersburg on Friday.

Spain coach Luis Enrique insists there is no complacency in his camp going into Friday's Euro 2020 quarter-final against Switzerland in St Petersburg.

Switzerland stunned France in the last 16 and Enrique's side face the underdogs and not the world champions for a place in the semi-finals against either Belgium or Italy.

"The reality is Switzerland have got through and nothing else matters," Enrique told a press conference.

Spain's players applaud the fans at the end of their thrilling 5-3 win against Croatia
Spain's players applaud the fans at the end of their thrilling 5-3 win against Croatia (Martin Meissner/AP Pool)

"The good thing for us is that both teams know each other very well. We competed recently in the Nations League."

Spain edged a 1-0 win in their first Nations League meeting in Madrid in October and were then held 1-1 the following month in Basel.

"They're going to be a very tough team to face and I think for the spectator there might not be some big names, but they're a great group of players," Enrique said.

"They're a match for us in terms of the way they press, the way they attack, so it's going to be very difficult for us."

Both sides needed extra time in their thrilling last-16 matches. Spain let slip a 3-1 lead in normal time before running out 5-3 winners against Croatia.

Switzerland struck twice in the closing stages to draw 3-3 with France after 90 minutes before winning 5-4 on penalties.

Enrique dismissed the idea his players might be tired, adding: "No. It's not going to affect us at all.

"If you look at the stats, we have some fantastic people in the backroom staff, and the stats are all impressive.

Luis Enrique celebrates victory against Croatia with his backroom staff
Luis Enrique celebrates victory against Croatia with his backroom staff (Wolfgang Rattay/ AP)

"I have full confidence in all 24 players. Physical issues are just as important as mental issues. If something's not going right mentally, you're perhaps not running so well.

"I think it's more a mental issue than a physical one and physically we're in great shape."

Switzerland coach Vladimir Petkovic said neither he nor his players were content with reaching the tournament's last eight after their heroics against France.

"We need to be hungry again, greedy, to make it to the next round," the  Sarajevo-born 57-year-old told a press conference.

Jubilation for Vladimir Petkovic after Switzerland upset favourites France in the round of 16
Jubilation for Vladimir Petkovic after Switzerland upset favourites France in the round of 16 (Marko Djurica/AP)

"From this point on I can't say I'm satisfied and happy that we made it so far because, for me, the next step is always the most important.

"We want to succeed, make it to the next round. We know that we have to play against one of the strongest teams, Spain, one of the favourites, but we will try to take our chance and make it to the next round."

Switzerland will be without suspended captain Granit Xhaka after the inspirational Arsenal midfielder received his second booking of the tournament against France.

Petkovic added:  "A player like Granit, we can miss him a lot, but what I want to see against Spain is that everyone gives a little more – not just to replace him – but also to beat Spain."

ID:453579: cacheID:453579:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:8614:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Belgium manager Roberto Martinez on June 29, 2021
Read Next:
Euro 2020 matchday 21: Belgium prepare to tackle Italy
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Spain Spain33009
Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
4 Albania national flag Albania30121

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England31205
Q Denmark Denmark30303
Q Slovenia Slovenia30303
4 Serbia Serbia30212

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Austria Austria32016
Q France France31205
Q Netherlands Netherlands31114
4 Poland Poland30121

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Romania Romania31114
Q Belgium Belgium31114
Q Slovakia Slovakia31114
4 Ukraine Ukraine31114

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Turkey Turkey32016
Q Georgia Georgia31114
4 Czech Republic Czech Republic30121


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!