The UEFA Euro 2016 is just about to start, and what better way to open the tournament than an explosive matchup between Albania and Switzerland. The Swiss are one of your jacks-of-all-trades with a pretty solid team all throughout the pitch. They’ll take on Albania, who have one of the best defensive units care of the guidance of Italian coach Gianni De Biasi.
Don’t miss out on this intriguing matchup. Read on as we take a look at everything you’ll need to know heading into this match. Get plenty more Euro 2016 action with our complete previews for France vs. Romania and Wales vs. Slovakia.
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Manager Gianni De Biasi has transformed Albania from European pushovers to one of the best defensive units on the continent. The Eagles conceded just five goals in eight matches, one of the best records in qualifying. Lorik Cana solidifies their defense as the most-experienced among the group with 90 career caps, while Ansi Agolli and Andi Lila offer their services with 59 and 57 caps respectively.
Albania aren’t just about the old dogs with 22-year-old defender Elseid Hysaj offering a pair of fresh legs. The youth of the Albanian side is more evident further up the field. Midfielders Odise Roshi and Taulant Chaka are just 24 and 25 years old respectively, while lone forward Sokol Cikalleshi is just 25 years of age.
Albania are good defensively, but they still lack firepower. They don’t even have a player with more than three career international goals. The Eagles have been lackluster in international friendlies en route to Euro 2016. They’ve 2-2 with losses to Austria and Ukraine, much weaker opposition than what they’ll face in France.
If there’s one super team in Europe, it’s probably Switzerland. The Swiss are packed with solid players all-across the pitch, and these players have experience playing for some of the best teams and leagues in the world.
Stephan Lichtsteiner and Ricardo Rodriguez are two of the best full-backs in the world, playing for Italian club Juventus and German club Wolfsburg respectively. Midfielders Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri play for English clubs Arsenal and Stoke City. Shaqiri, in particular, is a bulldozer from midfield who is capable of unravelling defenses when on the attack. Meanwhile, striker Admir Mehmedi plays for German club Bayer Leverkusen.
Switzerland is a very cohesive unit, which had them completing 90 percent of their passes in qualifying. They even held control of the ball for 63 percent of the time. Their control-based game should help them get through some tough defenses, such as Albania’s, in the group stage.
The Swiss haven’t been in good form recently, though. They’ve lost three of their last four matches this year heading into Euro 2016.
Writer’s Prediction
Switzerland’s form is bad, which could have them starting slow in this match. Look for a scoreless tie (+215) with Albania’s defense hanging tough.
