June 18 – Switzerland and looking to make a point against France. Albania, who have no points at their first major tournament, see their match against Romania as a matter of life or death.
Switzerland vs France
Switzerland have no fears coming into their final group game against the hosts despite being thrashed 5-2 when they met two years ago at the World Cup in Brazil.
The Swiss have not beaten France since 1992 but with just a point needed for them to be certain of making the last 16 they do not need to throw caution to the wind.
Coach Vladimir Petkovic has said that the getting to the next phase was his priority and he is unlikely to chop and change despite four of his players facing suspension if they receive a second yellow card.
There were rumblings of discontent in the camp this week after Xherdan Shaqiri gave a public response to being overlooked for the captaincy, suggesting that he would consider defecting to newly FIFA-recognised Kosovo after the tournament.
The Swiss FA are reportedly concerned that a number of their players with Kosovar heritage will consider switching allegiance in time for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, but Shaqiri’s words in particular will have given cause for concern as Petkovic’s side aim to reach the knockout stages of the Euros for the first time.
With the hosts already through, Didier Deschamps is likely to rest several players even though this is a straight shootout for top spot in group A. Deschamps will know how important it is to avoid another heavyweight in the last 16.
| W | D | L | F | A | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| France | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 7 |
| Switzerland | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| Albania | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Romania | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 1 |
Romania vs Albania
It’s a do-or-die fixture in Lyon with both teams trying to keep alive any hopes of progressing to the knockout stages. The Albanians held their own for long spells in their opening 1-0 loss to the Swiss and and then conceded two late goals in the reverse against France.
Romania also need to win although they have one point on the board already, but it could so easily have been two. A Bogdan Stancu penalty nearly earned them a share of the spoils against the hosts in Paris, but they were undone by a moment of genius from Dimitri Payet.
Albania’s Italian coach Gianni De Biasi remains sure they can still qualify for the last 16, despite his side having yet to collect a point in the tournament.
“I believe we can qualify,” De Biasi told reporters as his team, who are at their first major tournament, prepared for what Romania striker Florin Andone described as a matter of “life and death”.
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