Sweet triangles and high balls: where Switzerland thrive and struggle

Granit Xhaka probes deep in midfield but Murat Yakin’s side are happy to concede the lion’s share of the ball

The past four goals Switzerland have scored in this tournament have come from their left side. In terms of buildup play, they are the most lopsided team remaining in the tournament, directing 45% of their attacks up the left flank and 21% through the centre. With the left-sided centre-half Ricardo Rodriguez often stepping forward to join the attack, combining with Michel Aebischer and either Dan Ndoye or Ruben Vargas on that flank, opposition teams have found themselves suddenly overloaded, most notably Italy in their 2-0 humbling in Berlin last Saturday. Continue reading...

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