But their best chance came three minutes from time when substitute Shkelzen Gashi was played clean through but shot too close to Sommer who tipped over. Granit moved on to Borussia Monchengladbach after just two years, earning a call-up to Switzerland in 2011, but Taulant stayed put, making 85 appearances for the club and winning his first cap for the country of his father’s birth in 2014.
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With 15 minutes remaining, Embolo curled over from a promising position and he was nearly made to pay when Sadiku was provided with the chance to equalise for Albania from close range, only to see his near post effort hit the side-netting.
60 – Granit Xhaka had 60 touches in the first half, more than any other player in Albania v Switzerland.
Captain Stephan Lichtsteiner insisted the Albania match could be key.
Switzerland coach Vladimir Petkovic has been monitoring the fitness of Watford midfielder Valon Behrami, who has not been able to take a full part in training ahead of Saturday’s clash, and experienced Rennes playmaker Gelson Fernandes.
Switzerland carved out another opening in the 15th minute, as Shaqiri’s knockdown found Seferovic, but the strike scuffed his strike and it sailed to Berisha.
The Albanians made their major tournament debut, but a glaring mistake from Lazio goalkeeper Etrit Berisha in the end cost them a point.
On the other side, In the last 6 games, Albania has won 2 games, lost 2 games and draws 2 games. “After that, we played too much backward and allowed them back into the game”.
His was the third quickest red card for two yellows in European Championship finals history – hardly the bow he would have dreamed of last night.
Switzerland, bidding to reach the knockout stages for the first time, scored in the fifth minute and were given a further boost by a second yellow card for Albania skipper Lorik Cana.
Genoa’s Blerim Dzemaili put in a true workman’s performance tonight, completing 88% of his passes and almost scoring off a free kick when he hit the post.
“In the second half we had these incredible chances which we should have used better, but matches are determined by fine margins”. They had a great chance to level the scores when striker Armando Sadiku was played in one on one with keeper Yann Sommer who stuck out a leg to block his indecisive finish.
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The European Championship kicked off yesterday with hosts France taking on Romania, a game I expect them to have won.
