Switzerland’s recent appearances at major tournaments – they have qualified for the last five World Cups and now three successive European Championships – have usually been preceded by talk of a golden generation and taking the team to new heights. This time, however, there seems to be more trepidation than optimism.
As before, there is no doubting the quality of the Swiss squad. Nearly all the players are based in the top five European leagues and most are enjoying regular first-team football, something that was not always the case in the past. Yet recent performances, which include just two wins from their last nine internationals, have ranged from unconvincing to dismal.
Memories are still fresh of their humiliating exit from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, with a 6-1 pummeling at the hands of Portugal in the
