England about to feel the heat
England did well at World Cup but fell at the first hurdle in the new Nations League last Saturday and the pressure will start to mount if they fail to put the Swiss to the sword in Leicester tonight.
After exceeding expectations at World Cup, this past weekend brought a reality check for England as they were beaten at home by Spain in their opening game in the new UEFA Nations League.
Coming up tonight is a second international in the space of four days for Gareth Southgate’s young squad, which is expected to be dramatically changed from the 2-1 defeat at Wembley on Saturday night.
But it will still be indicative of the depth available to England as they look ahead to the next European Championships in two years’ time and even the next World Cup in Qatar.
It is an inexperienced squad who many feel can restore lustre to an English team that has not come close to a major international title since winning the World Cup more than 50 years ago.
The game against the Swiss is officially a friendly and is being played in Leicester. But it is important for England’s psyche.
Switzerland will be motivated as teams who come to play in the home of football always are. Their 6-0 win over fellow World Cup finalists Iceland in their Nations League match at the weekend was an impressive statement.
It included a dominant performance from Liverpool’s new signing Xherdan Shaqiri, who is expected to be a thorn in the side of the English defenders tonight.
There are a fair number of the Swiss squad who play in England or have previously done so, so there will be few secrets between the two teams.
But it is important for England to lay down a marker or there will quickly be questions about whether their performance in Russia was just a fluke or the laying down of a foundation for future success.
Manager Southgate is still enjoying something of a honeymoon, but he too will begin to feel more heat if the result does not go his way this evening - the side has now in fact won only one of their last six internationals.
Tonight’s match brings to a close the first international matchday window since the World Cup, which for many countries has marked the start of new eras under new coaches and with many debutants.