Group A continues as Albania and Switzerland clash in the first afternoon kick-off of the tournament.
The Albanian’s make their European Championship debut and arguably take one of the best defensive records into the tournament from qualifying – Giovanni De Biasi’s side allowed just five goals, earning four clean sheets. That defensive resolve came at a price, however: the Albanian’s scored just seven goals and, with an attempt every ten minutes, were the least threatening of any qualifying nation.
Little has changed over recent friendlies: they’ve registered a goal attempt every 12 minutes over their last four outings. Indeed, recent defeats to fellow qualifiers Austria and Ukraine appears to confirm Albania as rank outsiders.
Switzerland will be favourites to claim a victory, then, although Vladimir Petkovic’s head into today’s clash having lost three of their last four friendlies, scoring just three goals and shipping six. They will need to improve on that form if they are to break down a determined Albanian rearguard.
