Switzerland v France, 19th June, 8pm

[JJ1532]

Well, this looks set to be an interesting one.

Switzerland need a point to guarantee 2nd spot in the group as the Albania v Romania game could go either way. A win would take them top, so worth really going for this one. They've struggled through their first 2 games, but should qualify in 2nd, which I'd imagine they'll take. Do they go for a point?

On the other hand, what do France do? They have already qualified in the top 2, anything but a defeat sees them finish top. Do they rest and rotate the team to try and get something going ahead of the knockouts, because they've looked extremely underwhelming in both their first 2 games and have been bailed out by some individual quality. Or do they trust the XI that got them 2 wins from 2? Interesting for Deschamps.

 

[JJ1532]

French team for this game: Lloris, Jallet, Rami, Koscielny, Evra, Cabaye, Sissoko, Pogba, Griezmann, Gignac, Coman

6 changes. Looks like a mix of trying different things and also resting key players, especially Payet and Kante.

 

[JJ1532]

Hmm, I do wonder if Deschamps has overthought things by resting Giroud and Payet. Surely them getting a yellow in this game and being out for what should be an easier last 16 game is preferable than them being ok for the last 16, but possibly suspended for the quarters. Could backfire on the manager.

 

[Pagnell]

I don't understand how a shot which hits the bar without any deflection or save can be defined as unlucky by the commentators. Pogba's shot was a great attempt, but unlucky? No. It simply wasn't on target.

 

[smat]

Hmm, I do wonder if Deschamps has overthought things by resting Giroud and Payet. Surely them getting a yellow in this game and being out for what should be an easier last 16 game is preferable than them being ok for the last 16, but possibly suspended for the quarters. Could backfire on the manager.

There's sometimes an amnesty after the group stages. Dunno if that's the case in this tourney.

 

[JJ1532]

I don't understand how a shot which hits the bar without any deflection or save can be defined as unlucky by the commentators. Pogba's shot was a great attempt, but unlucky? No. It simply wasn't on target.

Think about this way: If a shot that narrowly missed is unlucky, does that mean that a shot that only just goes in(in the corner or via a post) is lucky? Nobody ever says that a shot that only just goes in is lucky, its always skill. Double standards me thinks.

There's sometimes an amnesty after the group stages. Dunno if that's the case in this tourney.

Not this time. http://www.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles.../Regulations/02/03/92/81/2039281_DOWNLOAD.pdf

Go to page 35, makes no mention of being wiped after the groups, only after the quarters. So I'm pretty sure any bookings carry over in the last 16 and last 8, then get wiped after that.

 

[JimJams]

Behrami kills the ball!

 

[Benji]

Every time I see Ricardo Rodriguez play, he is awful from set pieces. Just awful.

Never seen a ball burst before...

 

[Liam_SWFC]

Very underwhelming from France throughout the group stage but they've got the job done and have topped the group, they are going to have to improve massively to stand a chance of winning it. As for Switzerland they played well tonight better than their two previous games, and will be happy coming through in 2nd, I think they've still got a gear to go through yet so wouldn't rule them out of advancing even further dependant on their last 16 draw.

 

[voltage]

Saw more Switzerland's ripped shirts than anything including good football. Would like to see both sides more out to the match but none seemed to want to risk the classification. Anyway Switzerland had a penalty not given in the last minute that could put them deservedly in a better situation.