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Preview: Switzerland v Poland

Poland coach Adam Nawałka has backed Robert Lewandowski to show his worth against Switzerland, though both coaches are eager for more clinical finishing in their last-16 joust.

Vladimir Petković keeps an eye on his Switzerland players in training
Vladimir Petković keeps an eye on his Switzerland players in training ©AFP/Getty Images
  • Switzerland and Poland are in the knockout stage of a EURO for the first time
  • The Swiss came in runners-up behind hosts France in Group A
  • Poland did not concede a goal in finishing second to Germany in Group C
  • Switzerland have won only one of the nations' ten encounters
  • The winners will face either Croatia or Portugal in the quarter-finals on 30 June


Possible line-ups
Switzerland: Sommer; Lichtsteiner, Schär, Djourou, Rodríguez; Behrami, Xhaka, Džemaili; Shaqiri, Embolo, Mehmedi.
Out: none
Doubtful: none
Misses next match if booked: Behrami, Embolo, Schär, Xhaka

Poland: Fabiański; Piszczek, Glik, Pazdan, Jędrzejczyk; Błaszczykowski, Krychowiak, Mączyński, Grosicki; Milik, Lewandowski.
Out: Szczęsny (thigh), Kapustka (suspended)
Doubtful: none
Misses next match if booked: Grosicki, Mączyński, Peszko, Piszczek


Coach quotes
Vladimir Petković, Switzerland coach
We've started to create something. We've taken some small steps – we've shut the front door behind us, now we're about to open a second door. With my players, we want to open as many doors as possible.

Poland are a strong, very compact side. They haven't conceded a goal. They've got very good attacking players. [Robert] Lewandowski works very hard for the team, just like [Arkadiusz] Milik and everyone else. They have great players behind them and three top-class goalkeepers as well. I'm not fearful of them.

We need to be more clinical going forward and we mustn't allow the opposition to create anything from our mistakes. If we have lacked something it's shooting from distance, but we need to work on the killer pass and the killer cross. I expect three or four of our players in the penalty area when we're on the attack.

Poland pair reveal their defensive secrets

Adam Nawałka, Poland coach
We're very well prepared – physically and mentally – and we'll try to implement our tactical game plan in this match. The players are well aware there's a great chance to get an excellent result at this EURO.

Before the finals, we worked very hard to improve our defensive play and it's worked out well so far. We've got the right results. Now we want to improve how we take our goalscoring chances.

We don't have a single problem with the fact Robert [Lewandowski] hasn't scored a goal. He's doing a great job. He's adapted to a new role in the team very well, and we're a team where everyone understands each other.

We're creating new history for Polish football. We want to work towards genuine success with our efforts. Our history is great, but what's most important is to use the potential of the players at our disposal.

UEFA.com team reporters
Matthew Howarth, Switzerland (@UEFAcomMattH)
The first last-16 tie of UEFA EURO 2016 is almost too close to call. Both teams got through the group stage without conceding from open play, but both are finding goals hard to come by at the other end.

Switzerland coach Petković must decide whether to keep faith with 19-year-old Breel Embolo or recall Haris Seferović to his attack. The latter struggled against Albania and Romania but has looked sharp in training and is itching to open his account for the tournament in Saint-Etienne.


Piotr Koźmiński, Poland (@UEFAcomPiotrK)

Poland appear fairly confident going into this game, with a run of good results assuring the players they can achieve something more than just reaching the knockout stage. The defence look particularly solid, and only Poland and Germany have yet to ship a goal in France.

Poland's midfield is also in good shape, Grzegorz Krychowiak having become a real leader, while the team have created good chances in every game. They just need to be more clinical – and the whole of Poland is waiting for Lewandowski to end his drought.

Switzerland are eyeing a historic quarter-final place
Switzerland are eyeing a historic quarter-final place©AFP/Getty Images

Form guide (all competitions, most recent first)
Switzerland: DDWWLLLWLW
Poland: WDWDLWWWWW

Did you know?
The sides' most recent tussle was a 2-2 friendly draw in Wroclaw in November 2014, Fabian Frei scoring a late equaliser for Switzerland in a 2-2 draw after team-mate Josip Drmic had put the visitors into an early lead. Artur Jędrzejczyk and Arkadiusz Milik scored in between for Poland. Find out more in our extensive match background.

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