Switzerland defender Fabian Schar insists his side will not underestimate England, despite their below-par showing so far at Euro 2024.
The 32-year-old has spent the past six years in England, playing nearly 200 games for Newcastle, and knows the threat posed by Gareth Southgate’s squad better than most in the Swiss squad.
Manuel Akanji, Fabian Schar and their Swiss teammates are through quarter-finals at #Euro2024! 🇨🇭 pic.twitter.com/bRhyfDfleb
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England have drawn criticism from fans and pundits alike for their low-key performances in their Group C games against Serbia, Denmark and Slovenia, and then needed a 95th minute equaliser to force extra-time in their last-16 clash against Slovakia, ranked 45th in the world, on Sunday.
“No matter how they have played, they are in the quarter-finals,” Schar told a pre-match media conference. “They can hurt their opponents at any time so we need to be prepared for that.
“I wouldn’t underestimate England. They have seen us play in the last few games, they know what our strengths are, but for Switzerland it would be great to show what we are capable of.”
The two sides face-off in Dusseldorf on Saturday (5pm BST) with a place in the semi-final against Turkey or the Netherlands at stake for the winner.
