JAKARTA - The coach of the Swiss national team Vladimir Petkovic admits that their preparations ahead of the Euro 2020 last 16 match against France in Bucharest, Tuesday, June 29, have not been affected by the storm of injuries in their opponent's back line.
Les Blues now do not have a fit full-back following Lucas Hernandez and Lucas Digne both suffering injuries during their Group F final match against Portugal last Wednesday.
This may completely change the French defense scheme with the option of placing midfielder Adriet Rabiot into the back line.
"I don't think it will affect us. That's a problem for Didier Deschamps, but he's got a lot of good players to choose from," Petkovic said.
"What is clear is that we have to overcome our own challenges, in order to find the best performance," he added.
In appearances in their last three prestigious tournaments, Switzerland has always stopped in the round of 16, including when they were eliminated by Poland on penalties at Euro 2016.
The match at the end of the training session #FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/S6ge8KDo4s
— French Team (@FrenchTeam) June 27, 2021
Petkovic himself accompanied La Nati in the last two defeats in the last 16 of Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup.
"The most important thing is that the players continue to show the right attitude and believe in our strengths. With opponents like France if they give 100 per cent and us 100 per cent it is not enough," he said.
"We have to go beyond our limits, go above 100 per cent and expect France to be a few per cent below us," Petkovic added.
The same was echoed by Swiss captain Granit Xhaka who realized Switzerland had not started the tournament well but now they must be ready to give their best in at least 120 minutes.
"We want to qualify after three stops in the last 16. This team is ready to make history," said Xhaka.
If able to create a surprise cons France, Switzerland will face Croatia or Spain in the quarter-finals.
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