The Euro 2024 quarter-finals continue on Saturday. At 19:00 England meets Switzerland, at 22:00 the Netherlands face Turkey.
The England team is one of the favorites for the trophy, but with their performance so far, they have totally disappointed. In none of the four games so far, Gareth Southgate's men have shown their true colors and thanks to a huge amount of luck and individual skills, especially in the round of 16 against Slovakia, they somehow stay in the title race. However, for sure, if the "three lions" do not show more creativity in the middle of the field and an idea how to take over the opponent's goal, they will have a hard time against the "crusaders". In general, however, it is not normal for such established players in the English championship for the British to show such game helplessness and suffer. Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane, who have scored all four of their own so far, are not enough to carry the team on their backs and if England do not perform as a team, there is a real possibility of a major disappointment.
The Swiss, who are undefeated on German grounds, have a balanced and well-rounded squad, and play competent and winning football. They showed this most of all in the round of 16, when they not only decisively defeated two-time European champions Italy, but also showed that they are capable of achieving something historic. Coach Murat Yakin relies on a core of core performers who have been playing together for many years and with their continued impressive form, they can handle anyone on their way to the decider. Against England, Yakin will rely on his best after it was revealed that captain Granit Xhaka's injury has subsided and the midfielder will be available to the manager.
England and Switzerland have met each other in 27 matches. The "Three Lions" have 18 victories, the Swiss – 3, and 6 matches have ended in a draw. The goal difference is 59:20. It is curious that the English have not lost to their rival for 43 years - the last time the "crusaders" won 2:1 on May 30, 1981 in a World Cup qualifier in front of their own audience.
The Netherlands had no trouble against Romania in the round of 16, overcoming our northern neighbors with a classic 3:0. Turkey, meanwhile, finished as runners-up in Group 'F' and faced surprise Group 'D' winners Austria. Vincenzo Montella's side, however, sprung a surprise, beating Ralf Rangnick's stable side 2-1 after two goals from defender Merih Demiral, who was embroiled in a political scandal and served a two-match ban.
The two squads have faced each other on a total of 14 occasions, with the Netherlands winning six to Turkey's four. Four more matches have ended in a draw. The two sides last met in World Cup qualifiers in Qatar, when the Tulips cruised to a resounding 6-1 victory with Memphis Depay scoring a hat-trick. Before that, however, Turkey recorded two consecutive victories, one in the same qualifying round with 4:2, and a little earlier in the EURO 2016 qualifiers.
This will be the first meeting between them at the very finals of the European Championship.
Euro 2024 program for Saturday:
Quarterfinals
19:00, England - Switzerland
22:00, Netherlands - Turkey. | BGNES
