The Swiss national team is as good as qualified for the round of 16 even before the crunch match against Germany. But coaching legend Felix Magath is less than impressed by the Swiss in his "home game with the Nati".
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- On Sunday, Switzerland's last group game against Germany will be about winning the group.
- Although the Nati almost certainly have a ticket to the round of 16 in the bag even before the Germany clash, coaching legend Felix Magath is disappointed with the Swiss' last performance, which he had high hopes for before the tournament.
- "I overestimated the Swiss before the tournament. (...) I was a bit disconcerted that the performance against Scotland wasn't better," Magath told blue Sport.
After the convincing 3:1 win against Hungary in the opener, Switzerland struggled against Scotland and only managed a 1:1 draw. With four points from two games, the Nati are nevertheless on course for the round of 16 and can line up in Frankfurt on Sunday full of confidence, where they will face hosts Germany for the group win.
However, respect for the Nati has not really increased among our northern neighbors after the first two European Championship matches. At least not for Felix Magath: "I thought the Swiss were too good before the tournament - looking at the game against Scotland now. For me, Switzerland was a team that could compete with the best on a good day," said the coaching legend in the football talk show "Heimspiel bei der Nati" on blue Sport.
Against the Scots, however, Magath felt the Nati were not dominant enough. "I was surprised that Switzerland had so little initiative in the second half. Surprisingly, the Scots were more dominant," said the 70-year-old. "I was disappointed that so little came from Switzerland."
Magath on the DFB team: "Finally playing football again"
The former Bayern Munich and Wolfsburg coach is not entirely convinced by the German team either: "We're finally playing forward-facing football again. In that respect, I'm satisfied with the two results, although it wasn't quite as brilliant against Hungary as it was against the Scots," said Magath.
Perhaps Magath is a little cautious because he sharply criticized the DFB squad and national coach Julian Nagelsmann after the two test match defeats against Turkey and Austria in November.
"The team has stabilized a lot since the spring, with the arrival of Toni Kroos they have a man who takes responsibility and has brought structure to the team," he now says. Coupled with the young guns, "a different atmosphere has been created", says Magath. He added: "Germany are on the right track. I am convinced that we can win the tournament. But I'm not sure whether we will win it."
Germany versus Switzerland - a match of equals?
And how does Magath see the Nati's chances? "I had Switzerland on my list - and I haven't completely crossed them off," he says. Perhaps Murat Yakin's team simply had a bad day against Scotland. "I'm just saying I was a bit disconcerted that the performance wasn't better. But I still believe there is something in the team."
The preparation and attitude will be different against Germany than against Scotland, the coaching legend is certain, and Magath still believes the Nati have a lot to play for against the DFB side: "I think the game will be played at eye level. I'm betting on a 1:1."