Switzerland Confident To Face Spain In Euro 2020 Quarter-Final

Geneva Switzerland (DOK VOI/Ferdinan)

JAKARTA - The coach of the Swiss national team Vladimir Petkovic said his team was not satisfied after reaching the quarter-finals of Euro 2020, which was the country's first record at a European Cup tournament.

Petkovic even stated that his squad was very impatient and confident to face Spain in the quarter-final match in Saint Petersburg, Friday, July 2, tomorrow.

Switzerland were once again the unseeded team in the game, having created a shock by eliminating world champions France in the last 16 after coming back from 1-3 down to equalize 3-3 and win on penalties.

"We've done a good job reaching the quarter-finals but we're not satisfied and still hungry for more," Petrovic said.

"We know we will face one of the top seeded champions, but we will not be overwhelmed after eliminating France. We want to go further and be mentally ready for this next big challenge," he said.

Unfortunately, this time Switzerland will not be strengthened by the captain Granit Xhaka who must be absent due to a yellow card accumulation sanction.

However, Petkovic believes his squad has a replacement option ready to do its job.

"Granit's absence is a challenge, but I have an idea how we can overcome it. After all, whatever the situation is everyone on the pitch has to give 10 per cent more because Spain are a great team who have scored 10 goals in their last two games," he said

"We have to carefully anticipate the situation and have to be ready to run more than the opponent, because they are so good on the ball," added Petkovic.

Spain arrived in the quarter-finals after thrashing Slovakia 5-0 in the final Group E match and beating Croatia 5-3 after added time in the last 16.

If able to create a surprise get rid of Spain, Switzerland will meet Belgium or Italy in the semifinals.