Wales take a very good point against Switzerland

The day after Italy’s victory against Turkey in the opening match (3-0), Euro 2020 had its first big day this Saturday with three matches in a row. And to start, Wales and Switzerland crossed swords from 3 p.m. at the Olympic Stadium in Baku, for this second group A match. Authors of a very poor preparation (1 draw, 1 defeat), the Welsh were under pressure and had to face the Swiss who only experienced victory in 2021. On the Welsh side, Rob Page started with a classic 4-3-3 with his captain Bale on the left and Mancunien James on the right. Opposite, Vladimir Petkovic aligned a 5-3-2 with Shaqiri behind the duo Embolo-Seferovic.

In this first meeting at 3 p.m., the two teams struggled to offer anything in the first quarter of an hour. The balloon was in Swiss feet but the audience (around 30,000 people) found it difficult to vibrate. The first opportunity, however, raised the crowds since on a whim from Moore, Sommer flew to save the Dragons (15th). The Swiss, dominant in the game, responded with this “Madjer” from Schär released by Ward (20th) or this shot off target from Xhaka (24th). It was then the turn of the Swiss center forward Seferovic to shine but on two good actions (27th, 41st), the number 9 did not catch the frame despite a good position. We ended up with a 0-0 at the break.

Switzerland comes close to victory

Seferovic not finding the frame, the Nati then tried the blow with Embolo back from the locker room. At first, the Borussia player Mönchengladbach saw his shot be blocked (49th), but the next attempt was the right one. On a corner hit by Shaqiri, Embolo took the upper hand in the air and his helmet shot ended in the back of the net (49th, 0-1). A logical opening for the Swiss above. Vladimir Petkovic’s team then sought to double the stake but Mbabu was missing (52nd). It was at this time that Wales decided to raise their level of play to disrupt the Swiss defense. And the opportunities came quickly.

Before the hour mark, Moore fell on the opposing defense (58th), while Davies, a few moments later, suffered the same fate by being countered by Akanji (61st). But by dint of suffering, the Swiss cracked. Right side, Morrell took all his time to center towards Moore who, quite alone, placed a magnificent header which left Sommer no chance (74th, 1-1). Strangely, Embolo and his family moved forward and the latter placed a head next (77th). But the nets trembled again with this attempt by Gavranovic … finally signaled in an offside position with the help of the VAR (85th). Ward then saved his family (90th, 90th + 2). The two teams therefore left back to back (1-1). A result that only does business for Italy, alone at the top of Group A.

The complete program of group A to find here.