Switzerland may be the most boring dangerous team in world football. They have no superstars and nobody would call their football beautiful, but they keep getting results. Granit Xhaka runs the midfield like a Swiss watch, precise and efficient, and it never stops ticking. Manuel Akanji is a wall at the back for Manchester City. This is also the side that knocked France out of Euro 2020.
Murat Yakin is the manager, Breel Embolo leads the line, and the Swiss sit around 19th in the FIFA ranking.
Xhaka was reborn at Bayer Leverkusen and became one of the best midfielders in Europe during their unbeaten season. Akanji has won Premier League titles with City and brings elite defensive experience. Yakin's tactical flexibility lets Switzerland change systems during a match and adapt to whatever the opponent is doing. The tournament pedigree is real too: France beaten on penalties at Euro 2020, then a place in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals. With players spread across Europe's top leagues, every position has a reliable, experienced professional in it.
Why does nobody want to draw Switzerland?
Because they will not dazzle you and they will not go away. They frustrate you, they tire you out, and then they punish you with cold efficiency. They are the accountants of world football: dull to watch and very good at their job. Write them off at your own risk.
Tomorrow: number 21.
