Switzerland 1-1 Germany

Euro 2024/Group A/Round 3

MOTM: Granit Xhaka

Notable Stats:

• Niclas Fulkrug has scored more goals as a substitute at major international tournaments than any other European player (4). Scoring 13 goals in just 19 appearances for Germany.

• Switzerland has now reached the knockout rounds in each of the last six major international tournaments.

• Switzerland are unbeaten in their last six games at the European Championships when they have gone 1-0 up.

Match Stats:

• xG: 0.68 - 2.39

• xThreat: 0.87 - 2.35

• Possession: 34.7% - 65.3%

• Field Tilt: 31.2% - 68.8%

• Penalty Box Shots: 1 - 12

• Deep Completions: 3 - 17

• PPDA: 12.4 - 7.9

• High Turnovers: 6 - 2

• 10+ Pass Sequences: 8 - 21

Germany Win the Group

Throughout the tournament we have seen the same setup by Germany with their 3-1 base but in front of them they have shifted around depending on the opposition. In this match Gundogan pushed up alongside Havertz to occupy the back line whilst Musiala and Wirtz came inside and deeper. FBs providing the width.

The press of Germany shifted from a 4-4-2 to a 5-3-2 as Andrich dropped into the middle of the central defenders. Prevented Switzerland putting balls in behind since Germany could match up 2v1 and they could counter press aggressively from the middle. Switzerland could only progress wide and then Germany could shift across to the ball.

They tried to pull around Manuel Akanji, drawing him deeper but both Xhaka and Aebischer were smart in filling the gaps. Germany were impressing in their movement but also Switzerland defended it very well. They took away the simple options Kroos had, made him think and were aggressive in pressing him.

Here is a look at the press by Switzerland against the back three base of Germany. Locking up the switches Kroos had to Kimmich.

Switzerland were able to force turnovers from that press in the middle third.

Having the front three that could take those turnovers and provide threatening attacks against the German back line, leading to their goal in the first half.

Out-of-possession was no easier for Germany with Switzerland locking down the space in the middle. A wide forward and wing back on either side to match up against Germany. Three central defenders to track the runs in-behind. Xhaka with excellent work in the middle to pick up the spare Germany player.

Here is the passing map from the match.

Counter attack opportunities are there for a team to expose Germany. We saw Switzerland have some success and if it’s Spain that play against Germany in the knockouts, expect this to become a central theme of the match. Yamal and Williams will attack that space.

Germany had fantastic vertical movement by their players that made it difficult for Switzerland to track.

One example from the match that led to a good chance for Switzerland, getting behind Rudiger.

Preventing Kroos from getting on the ball is key for any team that faces Germany in the knockout stages. Switzerland made it difficult for him but he was still able to put up a passing map like this.

The other side of that is Andrich and moving him out of the middle. He remains as the ‘destroyer’ and prepared to sniff out danger. If you can pull him away you will open up the transition space to attack their back line from the middle.

If Turkey vs Georgia was the most entertaining match of the tournament so far then Switzerland vs Germany was the most interesting tactical battle. Two well organized teams constantly adjusting to deal with each others threat. Two teams you want to avoid in the knockout rounds.

Scotland 0-1 Hungary

Euro 2024/Group A/Round 3

MOTM: Roland Salli

Notable Stats:

• Scotland had 17 shots at EURO 2024 in total. The joint fewest since the group stage was introduced in 1980 along with Northern Ireland (Euro 2016).

• Kevin Csoboth winner after 99:32 was the latest goal on record, within regular time, at the European Championship.

• Scotland have never qualified for the knockout rounds at a major Men’s international tournament.

Match Stats:

• xG: 0.22 - 1.43

• xThreat: 1.48 - 0.91

• Possession: 57% - 43%

• Field Tilt: 50% - 50%

• Penalty Box Shots: 1 - 12

Hungary Have Hope

Scotland needed a win to have any chance of getting out of the group and it’s not like either side had no chances to win the match. Neither was this a match dominated by one team. Scotland had a lot of possession in the first half but were not able to progress consistently enough into the final third of Hungary and get in-behind with numbers.

When they were able to find McTominay between the lines, dropping deep and turning, Hungary always had enough players back to track the runners in-behind. With enough time for their two midfielders to get back and counter press.

If you are going to get in-behind a back five then you need vertical runs across the pitch. You need many options. You need to move the opposition back line around to create space. Scotland couldn’t do that and didn’t find the space they were looking for. That being said, both teams had the chances to win and Hungary took their one at the end.

Scotland saw a lot of the ball in the first half and here is the passing network for each team, for a majority of the match. Struggled to find consistent ways to progress up the pitch and into the final third.

Hungary had one great chance early in the match, brilliant delivery by Szoboszlai and Orban should have scored.

The penalty claim from Scotland and one they will feel hard done by. Can only assume the left leg of Armstrong dangled in front was why it was not given.

Scotland will remember this missed chance as well towards the end of the match. But with most of the chances Scotland did have, there was always Hungary defenders in place to block or force a missed shot.

Hungary pounce on a loose ball during a Scotland set-piece to break forward and eventually create this cut-back opportunity to win.

For Hungary this leaves them with a chance of getting through as one of the 3rd place teams into the round of 16. Depending on the results to follow in the next few days. You can stay up to date with the third place teams via the link below, covered by Dale Johnson (ESPN).

For Scotland this leaves them still in search of reaching the knockout stages at a major international tournament.

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