bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

paywallTypes

corrections

sponsorType

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

socialHeadline

headline

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

publishedDate

additionalInfoBoxes

images

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

createdDate

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Reuters

Switzerland opened their Euro 2016 campaign on Saturday with a 1-0 win over Albania but coach Vladimir Petkovic bemoaned his side’s inability to kill off their opponents after they were reduced to 10 men.
Fabian Schaer put the Swiss 1-0 up after only five minutes and Albania’s problems became worse when captain Lorik Cana was dismissed in the 36th minute.
Petkovic’s man created several chances but their Group A rivals produced a gutsy performance and were still in the game until the final whistle.

“It’s very positive we created a lot of opportunities. We simply needed to kill off the match,” the Swiss coach told a news conference.
Petkovic said his team started well but did not keep up their early momentum.
“We almost took two steps back and slowed down, we weren’t the side we had been in the first 20 minutes. It was our fault that they [Albania] grew into the match,” he added.
Petkovic said it was an emotional match for many of his squad who have Albanian or Kosovo-Albanian roots.
Swiss player Granit Xhaka, whose brother Taurat featured for Albania, said it felt more like an away match given the visible and vocal support for the opposition.
Valon Behrami was the subject of booing but he said it had almost been expected.

“I was calm. I knew this game was going to be difficult, I prepared for that for two months,” said the Swiss midfielder.
“There was a difficult atmosphere because six of our players were born there and it was difficult also because the public were 80 per cent for the Albanian side.”
Switzerland travel to Paris on Wednesday to face Romania knowing another victory will guarantee their passage to the knockout stages for the first time after three failed attempts.

Petkovic said Romania would pose a threat despite their 2-1 defeat by hosts France on Friday.
“I haven’t focused on analysing it yet but we saw France really struggling against them. They are an excellent side that are set up well,” he explained.
While a draw might suit the Swiss, Petkovic said it was not his plan to go for anything other than victory.
“Just because we have three points we cannot think that everything is done,” he added.


Peru's alpine herders revive ancient technologies to face climate change in the future

‘None of us gain anything by it dragging’: Wales manager Chris Coleman wants future sorted out quickly

More than 100 arrested and HK$580 million in betting records seized in month-long Hong Kong police crackdown during Euro 2016

All hail the conquering heroes: why Portugal’s Euro 2016 win is sweet relief for a country with plenty of problems

2016 Uefa European Championship (Euro 2016)

Swiss coach unconvinced after nervy 1-0 win over Albania in Euro 2016 opener

Switzerland's defender Fabian Schaer (R) celebrates with Valon Behrami after scoring against Albania. Photo: AFP

Albania's defender Lorik Cana (R) vies with Switzerland's forward Haris Seferovic during the Euro 2016 group A football match between Albania and Switzerland at the Bollaert-Delelis Stadium in Lens on June 11, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / MARTIN BUREAU

Switzerland's defender Johan Djourou (L) argues with Albania's midfielder Shkelzen Gashi during the Euro 2016 group A football match between Albania and Switzerland the Bollaert-Delelis Stadium in Lens on June 11, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / Denis CHARLET

TOPSHOT - Albania's midfielder Ergys Kace (L) pulls down the shorts of Switzerland's midfielder Valon Behrami during the Euro 2016 group A football match between Albania and Switzerland the Bollaert-Delelis Stadium in Lens on June 11, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / Denis CHARLET

Sport

Football

Fabian Schaer heads in Shaqiri corner to seal unconvincing win in group A
