Dugout Discussion – Matchday 3 – Day 1

Sunday evening brings the curtain down on Group A, as tournament hosts France take on Switzerland, while Romania and Albania collide in a “must-win” encounter.

France go into tonight’s meeting having already confirmed progress to the knock-out stages. They need just a point to top the group, although Didier Deschamps may yet look to instill a degree of urgency as his side bid to end this phase in style.

Up until now, the hosts have required three late goals to seal their two victories – they will look to be more convincing with their display against the Swiss.

Switzerland head into tonight’s match needing a draw to claim runners-up spot, suggesting that we could witness a cautious approach from both sides.

Both the Swiss goals to this point have been conjured from set-plays, having profited from more dead-ball scenarios than any other side in qualifying. Vladimir Petković will surely target corners and free-kicks as the most likely means of troubling the French defence.

Albania and Romania can consider themselves unfortunate not to have more points on the board.

The Albanians have exceeded expectations with their performances, if not their results. While they’ve suffered two defeats without scoring, they have shown enough to indicate that will not go out with a whimper.

As for Romania, they’ve also demonstrated the talent to suggest that they can make further progress. Like Albania, however, they must now abandon defensive resolve in favour of all-out-attack, in a bid to earn the victory they so desperately require.