Sweden, Switzerland both vying for long-awaited return to quarterfinals
By Adam Stocker
Sweden face Switzerland in the World Cup round of 16 with both teams looking to reach the quarterfinal for the first time in a generation.
It’s been a long time since Sweden or Switzerland reached the quarterfinal of a World Cup, but one of the two nations will reach the last eight on Tuesday when the two teams play in the round of 16.
The last time Sweden reached the World Cup quarterfinal was in 1994, when they finished third. Their current left-back, Ludwig Augustinsson, was only a couple of months old; center-back Victor Lindelof was born on the day Sweden defeated Bulgaria in the third-place game; Emil Krafth was born after the 1994 World Cup concluded. While Krafth is unlikely to play, Augustinsson and Lindelof will both start for Sweden.
The quarterfinal drought has been even longer for Switzerland. The last time the Swiss reached the quarterfinal was when they hosted the tournament in 1954. Needless to say, no Swiss players were alive to see Switzerland reach the quarterfinal 64 years ago. In many ways, this is the last chance for the best generation of Swiss players to leave their mark at the World Cup.
Sweden entered the final game of the group stage, coming off of a last-second loss to Germany. The Swedes knew a win over Mexico would likely get them through to the round of 16; anything less and they would need some help. Sweden went out and took the game to Mexico, winning 3-0. The Swedes forced Mexico to make mistakes throughout the game and capitalized, winning the game and Group F.
Switzerland finished second in Group E behind Brazil to advance to the round of 16. Despite finishing second, Switzerland didn’t lose a game in the group stage. The Swiss opened the tournament with a draw against Brazil and followed it up with a win against Serbia and a draw with Costa Rica.
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Swedish manager Janne Andersson will likely install a conservative game plan against Switzerland. Sweden don’t have the offensive firepower to get into a wide open, goal spree against Switzerland. The Swedes have had success forcing teams out wide, preventing them from a direct attack. Lindelof and Andreas Granqvist have helped Sweden keep clean sheets in two of their first three games. Both players have been physical inside of the box, not giving up space to opposing players while willingly getting their bodies in front of shots and passes to end opposing threats.
The Swedes will likely rely on the counter-attack to generate scoring chances against Switzerland. Marcus Berg led Sweden in scoring during qualifying, but he was quiet in the group stage. Berg will rely on service from Emil Forsberg to breakdown the Swiss defense. Forsberg has the ability to take over games with his ability to thread passes forward and use his speed to get around defenders. If Forsberg has a strong game in the final third, Sweden will likely be moving on.
Switzerland will have to make a changes to their starting XI. Fabian Schar and Stephan Lichtsteiner started all three group stage games but will not play against Sweden because of yellow card suspensions. Johan Djourou will likely get the start at center-back in place of Schar. Michael Lang or Nico Elvedi are candidates to start at right-back. The loss of two regulars in their defense could hurt Switzerland and lead to mistakes at the back. Without Schar and Lichtsteiner, Switzerland will rely even more on Ricardo Rodriguez and Manuel Akanji.
However, the x-factor could be keeper Yann Sommer. A late own-goal by Sommer against Costa Rica cost Switzerland all three points. Sommer’s mistakes have to concern Switzerland after he had a disappointing season with Borussia Monchangladbach. Another mistake by Sommer could put Switzerland out.
With two defenders suspended, Switzerland might play Granit Xhaka in a deeper role just in front of the center-backs. The decision on how Switzerland deploy Xhaka will play a role in their attack and defense. The Swiss need Xhaka to have a dominant box-to-box game, winning back possession, playing balls forward and joining the attack. Xhaka is Switzerland’s best player and they need him to play like it. With the Swiss strikers struggling in the group stage, Switzerland need Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri to jump forward and join the attack. If either player scores, there is a good chance that Switzerland advance.
Prediction: Switzerland 2-1 Sweden