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Euro 2016 Match Preview: Albania v Switzerland



The two countries are more than 500 miles apart, but Albania against Switzerland is arguably the first derby match at Euro 2016 - thanks to the remarkable links between the two sides.


Ten members of Albania's squad were either born in Switzerland or grew up there, with seven of those even playing for the Swiss at under-21 level before switching allegiance.

Conversely, six Swiss players have family links to Albania or Kosovo. That includes soon-to-be Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka.

Both Granit and brother Taulant were born in Basel to parents who are ethnic Albanians from Kosovo, and represented Switzerland at youth level. However, Taulant - who is 18 months older - made slightly slower progress at club level and was persuaded to change nationality.


MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

  • Albania are winless in six matches against Switzerland, losing five of those games.
  • The sides last met in qualifying for the 2014 World Cup. The Swiss won 2-0 at home in September 2012 and 2-1 away in October 2013. Xherdan Shaqiri scored in both matches.

Albania


  • Albania's total number of goals (seven), shots on target (28) and crosses from open play (93) were the lowest totals of any side who successfully came through Euro 2016 qualifying.
  • During qualifying they hit 20% of passes long - Northern Ireland (21.9%) were the only finalists with a higher figure.
  • No Albanian scored more than once in qualifying. Six different players netted for them - while they also benefitted from one own goal.
  • They only conceded five times in qualifying, but in their subsequent five friendlies they have kept just one clean sheet (against Luxembourg).

Switzerland


  • The Swiss have never reached the knock-out stage at the finals of a European Championship and have only won one of nine matches at the tournament (D2, L6).
  • That win came in their final group game at Euro 2008, against Portugal, when they had already been eliminated.
  • Xherdan Shaqiri created 32 chances during Euro 2016 qualifying. Only three players (Miralem Pjanic, Ivan Rakitic and Kevin De Bruyne) had better records.
  • The Swiss scored 10 goals from set pieces in qualifying (seven from corners, three penalties) - which is more than any other side. However, six of those goals were scored against San Marino.


Possible line-ups

Albania: Berisha; Hysaj, Cana, Mavraj, Agolli; Kukeli, Xhaka, Roshi, Abrashi, Lenjani; Sadiku.

Switzerland: Sommer; Lichtsteiner, Schär, Djourou, Rodríguez; Behrami, Džemaili, Xhaka; Shaqiri, Seferović, Mehmedi.
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