Switzerland vs Poland - Last-16 round preview

VS

The knockout stage opens up with a match that can steal the show, provided both teams are at their best. Switzerland and Poland got the place they expected, and surely got themselves ready for this match, a match where two different styles will collide and give us an entertaining beginning for the real competition.

 Poland has been talked as a potential dark horse for the competition, and you can understand why, as they are a very solid team full of experienced players, and with a world class striker that can hit you in any shape or form. And reducing Poland’s attacking prowess to Lewandowski is, as proven by the group stage, a mistake, as Milik, Kapustka, Kuba and Grosicki are all competent players and have stepped up with their star being the attention of opponents’ defenses.

 Switzerland did their job, as Poland did, but in a much less emphatic way. It wouldn’t be absurd to say that their best performance was against France, and that says a lot. Switzerland is a very solid team, very competent in the defensive process and dangerous in transition, but if they are required to control possession they become predictable and sometimes, boring. Fortunate for them, they can apply their style against the Polish, so expect a good attack trying to break a good defense.

With the group stage in mind, and Switzerland fantastic inability to put the ball in the net when it needs, you’d feel that if Poland strikes first, the game will go their way. But if Switzerland can hold Nawalka’s team, they will have set pieces and counter-attacks that they can transform. An interesting point will see if Seferovic stays as the Swiss striker, when he’s clearly been out of shape.

FIL’S ODDS FOR THE GAME

Switzerland 35%-65% Poland