France have won their last two Euro 2016 Group A matches against weaker teams in the group, Romania and Albania. But France, who have already qualified for Euro 2016 knockout stages, will face the second best team in the group, Switzerland, on Sunday.
Click here for Switzerland vs France starting line-up
France have not been able to play their best football in Euro 2016, as they were stifled by Romania and Albania, who played a defencive game most of the time. However, that is not going to be a problem when France play Switzerland, who also play an attacking brand of football, which could make the match really interesting.
Both teams have some wonderful players like Granit Xhaka, Xhedran Shaqiri (Switzerland), Paul Pogba, Olivier Giroud (France), making things spicier for the clash. Dimitri Payet has been one of the best performers for France in Euro 2016, scoring a sublime winner against Romania as well. Besides Payet, France will also need players like Pogba, Giroud and others to shine on Sunday.
Coach Didier Deschamps has been pleased with Payet for his performances in Euro 2016, and believes that the game against Switzerland will be open.
"Dimitri Payet has worked very hard and he's been rewarded. There are certain players who make a difference, but beyond the individual aspect it is the squad and their mindset that is crucial. It's quite nice what's happening to Payet at the moment – he deserves it," UEFA's official website quoted Dechamps as saying.
"We should have more freedom against Switzerland due to their style of play. Playing against an ultra-defensive side is very difficult. Switzerland have a team that like to play football so it might be an open game."
Switzerland, on the other hand, can also go top of the table with three points, and expect their players to give 100 percent to attain that position. Switzerland have defeated Albania, and drew against Romania, but their offencive players are yet to get into the groove.
Shahqiri and Xhaka run the show for Switzerland, and will be keen to hit the ground running against France. With France also expected to play an attractive football, there could be chances for Switzerland at well, so, their players need to be clinical in front of goals.
Switzerland have only scored two goals in Euro 2016, so manager Vladmir Petkovic could play Haris Seferovic to the bench, and start with Breel Embolo as the striker. Embolo has the pace to trouble the French defenders.
Switzerland manager wants his team to show that they are capable of playing similar football as France.
"We want to show France that we can play football just as well as them. Yes, we might get a couple of opportunities from set pieces which we can take advantage of, but we also want to show them that we can play football," Petkovic said.
"I don't think France are 100% calm either. They can still lose first place to us and we are going to do everything to achieve this against the favourites in our group. Maybe the favourites for the European Championship."
Where to Watch Live
Switzerland vs France is scheduled for a 9 p.m. local time (12.30 a.m. IST, 8 p.m. BST, 3 p.m. ET) start. The live streaming and TV information you need is below.
India: TV: Sony Six/HD and Sone ESPN/HD. Live Streaming: ESPN.in and Sonyliv.
France: TV: Bein Sports. Live Streaming: Bein Sports Connect.
UK: TV: ITV1. Live Streaming: ITV Hub.
USA: TV: ESPN and ESPN 3. Live Streaming: Watch ESPN.
Canada: TV: TSN and RDS. Live Streaming: TSN TV.
Australia: TV: Bein Sports and SBS One. Live Streaming: Bein Sports Connect.
Germany: TV: ZDF and ORF.
China and Hong Kong: TV: CCTV and LeTV.
Thailand: TV: Channel 3.
Singapore: TV: Eleven Singapore and Singtel. Live Streaming: Singtel Go.
Malaysia: TV: Astro.
Latin America: TV: DirecTV.
Middle East and North Africa: TV: Bein Sports Max. Live Streaming: Bein SportsConnect.
South Africa and Sub Saharan Africa: TV: SuperSport 3. Live Streaming: SuperSport
