Ramon Vega warns England that Switzerland will harness 30-year grudge in Euro 2024 showdown
Ramon Vega still remembers the time England did not take Switzerland seriously at a Euros.
It was back in 1996, Gareth Southgate was in the England squad, Roy Hodgson was manager of Switzerland and everybody expected the hosts to win at Wembley in their opening game.
Switzerland surprised England, held them to a 1-1 draw and could easily have won. England were given a rude awakening. And Switzerland believe they can go one better in Dusseldorf in Saturday’s quarter final.
Former Switzerland and Tottenham defender Vega, 53, said: “We had just qualified for our second tournament in 30 years, England were supposed to turn up and win but they flew back hammered from Hong Kong, Gazza in the dentist’s chair and they were all laughing.
“We were thinking: ‘Are they taking us seriously?’ They were all singing: ‘It’s Coming Home.’ And we were singing: ‘It’s coming to Switzerland!’
“We nearly did it. We were the better team. We should have won. I remember the old Wembley Stadium, walking up that long path from the dressing rooms and looking across at Tony Adams thinking: ‘Is this really happening?’
“It was one of the best and most important experiences of my life because you play well and then suddenly, I was in Serie A at the time, I’m moving to England and joining Tottenham.
“England still has a fear factor. They are a big football nation. But of course opponents raise their game to play England. You want to beat the big boys.
Ramon Vega
Gareth Southgate
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“It will be the same on Saturday. England have big players. They have the best league in the world. Yet we know we can do it. We know we can beat England.
“We beat the holders, Italy, in the last round. We knocked out France in the last Euros. We’ve been consistent for so many years.
“Everyone talks about Italy being poor that day. Why is that? I’ll tell you why: we made them look bad. We outplayed them. It was down to us. Not them.
“For years, the Swiss FA have worked hard on raising technical level. But we also have great awareness on tactics, formation and coaching. You can see that in the way Switzerland play.
“Then England always have this excuse of extra pressure. I don’t accept that. No chance. Just look at Italy. You think there is less pressure on them? They are holders. Look at their media. Look at Spain’s media. Germany are hosts. They are expected to win.
“So don’t tell me that. There is no weak link in European football anymore. There are no games where you just turn up and win. England are mistaken if they think that will happen.
“People need to understand that football is super competitive. England have Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden. Well, we have a European champion, a Treble winner in Manuel Akanji. Grant Xhaka. One of the best keepers in Europe.
Switzerland
“There are no egos, no problems and a very unified squad. Trust me, Switzerland can do this. They believe. I believe. They have such depth.
“But there is also a togetherness in the Switzerland squad. There’s such a great atmosphere. They are confident, happy and will have no fear.”
Vega is one of football’s great characters. His wife Claudia will be supporting England. And the plan is to be in Dusseldorf to support his beloved Switzerland.
He added: “For years, Switzerland have been seen as the underdogs. But not anymore. These guys have been doing it for years. They have raised their own expectations. Now we don’t just want to quality for tournaments. We expect to make it - and go far. Believe me, Switzerland believe they will win and they are not ready to go home. England will not frighten them.”
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