One reason Gareth Southgate may switch to a back three would be his concern that the overworked Declan Rice would get outnumbered in midfield if England played a 4-3-3.
The Arsenal man would be left with an opponent on either side of him as a consequence of Switzerland’s carousel system which can see them end up in the old-fashioned W-M formation. This is accomplished by Murat Yakin sending two extra bodies into the midfield while the match is ongoing.
Sometimes you will see their two forwards Fabian Rieder and Ruben Vargas withdrawing deep to fulfil that role. On other occasions the wing backs Dan Ndoye and Michel Aebischer move inside from their flanks, which is highly unusual. There is an incredible fluidity to how they do this — and that is something England will need to be wary of.
Scotland may not have had an enjoyable Euro 2024, but of all the opponents Switzerland faced, it was Steve Clarke’s underdogs who gave them their toughest test. Not Germany and their back four. Not Italy and their back four. But Scotland, who used a back three which saw them match the Swiss.Â
England’s analysts will have noted how the Swiss find one system much more troubling than the other, and Southgate had to decide whether copying the Scots was the best way to win. Scotland were intent on pressing Switzerland. Even from kick-off, they sent the ball long and out of play to work on a high press.
Scotland’s performance against Switzerland has shown England how they can beat the Swiss
Scotland posed Switzerland more problems than Germany or Italy due to their back three
Declan Rice (left) might be another reason why Gareth Southgate switches to a back threeÂ
They had Anthony Ralston and Andy Robertson at left and right wing back pushing up the pitch to lock on to their counterparts.Â
There was Scott McTominay screening the two midfield sitters and blocking the passes into Granit Xhaka, but pushing up to join the press alongside Che Adams and John McGinn whenever possible.
In order to press high up the pitch, you need your three defenders at the back to maintain a high line, while two of them have to be ready to follow the Swiss forwards if and when they drop deep. Scotland ended up disappointed to only draw after forcing Switzerland into losing possession more times than they have in any other match at these Euros.
By matching the Swiss system, it would help England ensure equal numbers all over the pitch.Â
If a 3-4-3 was 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 wing backs.Â
Conor Gallagher is England’s best presser of the ball so I would not be surprised if there was a role for him next to Rice, while Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden could play more centrally with Harry Kane in between.
Switzerland were using a back four under Yakin before making a switch to a back three in 2023. They haven’t looked back, going unbeaten in all of 2024 and showing they know this system inside-out. If England do match up to their opponents, they will need to beat Switzerland at their own game in order to reach the semi-finals.
Kyle Walker (centre) and Ezri Konsa (right) could be part of a back three for England
Martin Keown wouldn’t be surprised if Conor Gallagher plays alongside Rice
Swiss system suits XhakaÂ
Switzerland have reminded me of Bayer Leverkusen in the way they use a 3-4-2-1 in which every player knows his role.Â
That is partly why it has been so perfect for Xhaka, who is practically a coach on the pitch for club and country.Â
He orders his team-mates on when and where to move, screaming at Vargas or Aebischer when he wants one wide and the other central. Xhaka’s performances of late have made him look like one of the most effective midfielders in the game.
Against Germany, he virtually sat on Ilkay Gundogan to stop him from being instrumental. One suspects the same could be in store for Bellingham.
