Guaranteeing safe passage through to the knockout rounds, Germany confirmed their place in Group A’s top two on Wednesday evening, beating Hungary 2-0 in Stuttgart.
Goals in either half from Jamal Musiala and captain Ilkay Gundogan saw the Euro 2024 hosts successfully follow up an opening-night mauling of Scotland to become the first team to qualify for the last 16.
They will now win their group by at least avoiding defeat against Switzerland, leaving head coach Julian Nagelsmann in a strong position should he wish to rotate a talented 26-man squad.
After succeeding Hansi Flick, Nagelsmann’s reign started uncertainly, but his team are now on a six-match unbeaten streak – five of which have ended in victory – and are impressing pundits with their commitment and clarity.
Musiala and Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz have caught the eye, in combination with some more experienced members of Die Mannschaft, and as one of the favourites to lift the Henri Delaunay trophy in Berlin, they will be expected to make it three wins from three.
Throughout 53 previous international games against Switzerland, the only time Germany failed to score was a goalless draw way back in April 1968, and the current squad seem equipped to keep that run going this weekend.
Switzerland are actually unbeaten in their last three meetings with Germany – which have incidentally produced an average of 5.3 goals per game – having lost 16 of the previous 18.
Simply avoiding defeat on this occasion would send them through to the knockout stages of Euro 2024 – or even if they lose in Frankfurt, Scotland failing to beat Hungary will also be enough to seal their progress.
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In the event that Switzerland lose and Scotland win, then goal difference is very likely to weigh in their favour, while staging an upset against their German hosts would even see Die Nati claim first place in Group A.
Such a position of strength was secured by following an opening win over Hungary with a less impressive stalemate against Scotland, with Xherdan Shaqiri’s superb equaliser one of few magical moments in an otherwise scrappy affair.
Switzerland may have lost just one of their last 12 games at the European Championship – versus Italy three years ago – but since the start of Euro 2016 they have also drawn more times than any other nation.
Remarkably, though, the Swiss have not lost their final group game in any of their last eight tournament appearances, suggesting that Murat Yakin’s men can start planning for participation in this year’s last 16.
