Euro: Group A: Wales vs. Switzerland, 6/12/2021

[Live in the Now]

This game is in Baku, which sucks because we know their stadium's camera angle is about a million miles away from the pitch. Anyway, Switzerland is one of those teams I was talking about a few days ago when I said that some of these teams had super talented youth players that didn't really pan out. Switzerland also doesn't really have a generation to follow those players, so they're still playing them in big tournaments despite the way they bombed.

Unfortunately this game is way too early so I don't think I'll watch it until later in the day. I think Wales has a good enough midfield to not be overrun here and I think they'll force a draw.

Click to read more...

 

[cgf]

The swiss attackers all ended up being too streaky for the very top level, but they've got some talented defenders to put in front of Sommer with Elvdi, Akanji & the young Omeragic leading the way. Plus a midfield that could be very tough & draining behind those speedy forwards with Zakaria, Freuler, Sow, Edmilson & Xhaka to pick from....sure, Granit moves like current-Toni-Kroos, but the rest are all very mobile & robust.

Can't tip them to go too far, but if their attackers are on form they'll be a tough out who defends well & can punch back if you get sloppy against them.

 

[simon IC]

Go Wales!!!!

 

[AB13]

Aaron Ramsey vs Granit Xhaka. This is the beautiful game. Hopefully Ramsey is fit enough to play. Switzerland have a stronger team, but I'm going for a draw.

 

[Wee Baby Seamus]

This is gonna be an unwatchable draw and I'm very excited to not watch it

 

[Scandale du Jour]

Let's go Bale... euh Wales!

 

[Duchene2MacKinnon]

Let's go Bale... euh Wales!

So bale, Wales golf for you too?

 

[Juve]

Who's taking bets for "how long will it take for Ramsey to get injured"?

 

[TheMoreYouKnow]

ESPN sound quality on this is terrible. I get that they're not going to send a crew to Baku, but there's ways to mitigate that..it doesn't have to sound like they're calling the commentary in with a potato.

 

[Scandale du Jour]

So bale, Wales golf for you too?

I love golf, but clearly not as much as Gareth does.

 

[GKJ]

One thing I like about this coverage is that the game starts within 5 minutes of whatever time they tell you it’s going to start

 

[robertmac43]

The fact that Steferovic still leads the line for the Swiss team is hilarious

 

[Scandale du Jour]

One thing I like about this coverage is that the game starts within 5 minutes of whatever time they tell you it’s going to start

Football games usually start exactly on time.

 

[AB13]

The fact that Steferovic still leads the line for the Swiss team is hilarious

He’s probably still good though, 22 goals in the Liga Nos this season. Also just 29, thought he was way older.

 

[HajdukSplit]

ESPN sound quality on this is terrible. I get that they're not going to send a crew to Baku, but there's ways to mitigate that..it doesn't have to sound like they're calling the commentary in with a potato.

Also sounds like Cangialosi is yelling, though that’s his style with the Devils and Red Bulls but the audio quality has improved, at the start sounding something from the 70s

 

[TheMoreYouKnow]

The fact that Steferovic still leads the line for the Swiss team is hilarious

Or that ex-Liverpool starlet and current Championship player Joe Allen is here starting for Wales.

 

[robertmac43]

He’s probably still good though, 22 goals in the Liga Nos this season. Also just 29, thought he was way older.

His club record is good, he just doesn't seem to do much at major tournaments. I keep thinking as a Nation, they would have someone better come through the ranks.

Hoping it will be Zekiri in a couple of years.

 

[robertmac43]

Or that ex-Liverpool starlet and current Championship player Joe Allen is here starting for Wales.

He's the Welsh-Pirlo...

 

[Duchene2MacKinnon]

Swiss look really good

 

[AB13]

Xhaka has been very very good. Slower paced games when he is allowed to control things with his passing range really suit him.

 

[TP]

Good card.

 

[cgf]

Xhaka has been very very good. Slower paced games when he is allowed to control things with his passing range really suit him.

Also really important for him to have someone like Freuler / Zakaria / Kramer to do the running that he can't.

 

[cgf]

His club record is good, he just doesn't seem to do much at major tournaments. I keep thinking as a Nation, they would have someone better come through the ranks.

Hoping it will be Zekiri in a couple of years.

Embolo stagnating really hurt them; though this season might have been a step in the right direction for him.

 

[TheMoreYouKnow]

No social distancing rules needed in Baku there. 50% capacity allowed, looks like at most 10% are actually utilized. For some reason the Azeri masses weren't flocking to this epic match.

 

[AB13]

Also really important for him to have someone like Freuler / Zakaria / Kramer to do the running that he can't.

Absolutely. If Arsenal got Kante (who’s agent was begging us to sign him) instead of Mustafi in the summer of 2016 I wonder what could have been. Wenger wanted Kante but Gazidis just had to buy Mustafi.