A crucial Group A match between Romania (0-1-0, 0 points) and Switzerland (1-0-0, 3 points) that could determine who will advance in the knockout phase of the 2016 UEFA European Championship is set on Wednesday, June 15 at the Parc des Princes in Paris.
With host team France anticipated to take the first round-of-16 berth in the group as they face lowly Albania in the same matchday, Romania and Switzerland are theoretically vying for the second slot and this meeting is potentially the deciding game.
Romania is coming off a disappointing 1-2 loss to mighty France in the opening round of competitions held at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis on June 10, via The Guardian.
The game was scoreless in the first half as the team was able to stay at par with the hosts in the early goings. Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud then broke the deadlock three minutes before the hour mark was reached to give Les Bleus a one-point lead.
Striker Bogdan Stancu was then able to equalize the game for head coach Anghel Iordănescu’s boys with a penalty kick at the 65th minute.
Tricolorii looked headed to an opportune draw with the powerhouse French squad, but West Ham United forward Dimitri Payet netted a goal at the 89th to douse off Romania’s chances of sharing a point in the group standings.
Meanwhile, Switzerland nipped world no. 42 Albania, 1-0, in the Group A’s other opening round match held at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis in Lens last Saturday, as per Goal.
Hoffenheim defender Fabian Schar provided the lone goal for manager Vladimir Petković’s side right at the fifth minute of the contest off an assist by Stoke City midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri before the two teams went goalless for the rest of the match.
It was actually a disappointing game for Schweizer pati as they are expected to win by a wider margin against the Eagles.
The game would be tough to call as Romania (ranked 22nd) and Switzerland (ranked 15th) are virtually equal on paper when it comes to the strength of their lineups. It should be decided by whoever gets the right breaks during the course of the match as it could even end up in a draw.
The predicted result is a tough 1-0 win for Switzerland.
Romania starting lineup (4-3-3 formation): Tatarusanu; Sapunaru, Chiriches, Grigore, Rat; Stanciu, Hoban, Pintilii; Popa, Andone, Stancu
Switzerland starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Sommer; Lichtsteiner, Schar, Djourou, Rodriguez; Behrami, Xhaka; Shaqiri, Dzemaili, Mehmedi; Seferovic
