One reason Gareth Southgate might switch to a back three would be his concern that the overstretched Declan Rice would be outnumbered in midfield if England played in a 4-3-3.
The Arsenal player would be left with one opponent on either side as a result of Switzerland’s carousel system, which can see them end up in the old WM formation. This is achieved by Murat Yakin sending two extra players into midfield as the match progresses.
At times, their two forwards, Fabian Rieder and Ruben Vargas, will drop back to fulfil that role. At other times, full-backs Dan Ndoye and Michel Aebischer will drift inside from their flanks, which is highly unusual. There is an incredible fluidity to the way they do it, and that is something England will need to be aware of.
Scotland may not have had a pleasant Euro 2024, but of all the opponents Switzerland faced, it was Steve Clarke’s underdogs who gave them the toughest test. Not Germany and their back four. Not Italy and their back four. But Scotland, who used a back three that allowed them to match the Swiss.
English analysts will have noticed that the Swiss find one system far more problematic than the other, and Southgate had to decide whether copying the Scots was the best way to win. Scotland were determined to press Switzerland. Even from the kick-off, they sent the ball out of play to work in a high press.
Scotland’s performance against Switzerland has shown England how they can beat the Swiss.
Scotland posed more problems for Switzerland than Germany or Italy due to their three-man defence.
Declan Rice (left) could be another reason why Gareth Southgate switches to a three-man defence
They had Anthony Ralston and Andy Robertson on the left and right backs, moving up the pitch to mark their counterparts.
There was Scott McTominay shielding the two midfielders and blocking passes to Granit Xhaka, but pushing to join the press alongside Che Adams and John McGinn whenever possible.
To press high up the pitch, all three defenders at the back need to hold a high line, while two of them need to be ready to follow the Swiss forwards if they fall behind. Scotland were disappointed to have to draw only after forcing Switzerland to lose possession more times than in any other game at this Euro.
Like the Swiss system, it would help England ensure equal numbers across the field.
If a 3-4-3 is adopted, I could see Kyle Walker and Ezri Konsa being used either side of John Stones in defence, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Bukayo Saka as our right and left backs.
Conor Gallagher is England’s best ball-pressor so I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a role for him alongside Rice, while Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden could play more centrally with Harry Kane in the middle.
Switzerland used a back four under Yakin before switching to a back three in 2023. They haven’t looked back, remaining unbeaten throughout 2024 and showing they know this system inside out. If England are to take on their opponents, they will need to beat Switzerland at their own game to make the semi-finals.
Kyle Walker (centre) and Ezri Konsa (right) could form part of England’s back three
Martin Keown wouldn’t be surprised if Conor Gallagher played alongside Rice
The Swiss system suits Xhaka well
Switzerland reminded me of Bayer Leverkusen in the way they use a 3-4-2-1 where every player knows his role.
That’s partly why it’s been such a perfect fit for Xhaka, who is practically a coach on the pitch for his club and country.
He gives orders to his teammates on when and where to move, shouting at Vargas or Aebischer when he wants one to play wide and the other centrally. Xhaka’s recent performances have made him one of the most effective midfielders in the game.
Against Germany, he practically left Ilkay Gundogan off the pitch to prevent him from being decisive. It is suspected that the same could happen to Bellingham.
