Football News: Scotland Seek Euro 2024 Redemption Against Switzerland After Germany Hammering
As Scotland look to bounce back from their 5-1 thrashing against Euro 2024 hosts Germany, the decision to leave Billy Gilmour on the bench has dominated the discussion. Manager Steve Clarke defended his controversial call, insisting the young midfielder’s absence was not the sole reason for Scotland’s dismal performance.
“In a 5-1 game where we were never in the game, is one player going to make that amount of difference?” questioned Clarke. The 23-year-old Gilmour, who enjoyed an impressive season with Brighton in the Premier League, has become a fan favorite, with many believing he could have made an impact against the Germans.
However, Clarke was keen to downplay the pressure on the youngster, stating, “If he is selected for the next game, let him go into it with a clear head. It is difficult. You can say what you want and I can say that I don’t think it made a difference.”
With Scotland’s Euro 2024 campaign hanging by a thread, the upcoming match against Switzerland in Cologne becomes a must-win encounter. Defeat would almost certainly end their tournament involvement with a game to spare. Clarke acknowledged that his team may have lost some belief after the Germany debacle, but he is confident they can regain their confidence and composure.
“It is time to get that back and we don’t have long to do that. That’s about working on the mind and making sure we have everything correct in terms of tactics and bodies on the pitch and how we play and that might just give them that bit of belief,” said the Scotland manager.
One key decision Clarke faces is whether to recall Gilmour to the starting lineup against the Swiss. The manager also hinted at potential tactical changes, including potentially deploying more than one striker to better occupy the Swiss defense led by Manuel Akanji.
Granit Xhaka, the influential Switzerland captain and playmaker, will also be a focus for the Scots. “We have to make sure he does not dictate the game in the way we allowed Germany to dictate the game,” Clarke said.
Despite the daunting task ahead, Clarke is confident that his experienced squad can bounce back and emulate Switzerland’s consistent record of reaching the knockout stages of major tournaments. “They know what to do. They have a really strong spine through the middle of the team and they have pace up front. It will be a difficult game,” he acknowledged.
With the pressure mounting, Scotland will be seeking redemption against the Swiss in their bid to keep their Euro 2024 hopes alive.
🔗 Source