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England face the nightmare of a Euro 2024 semi-final if they beat Switzerland, with five of their stars at risk of suspension

Gillberg
England face the nightmare of a Euro 2024 semi-final if they beat Switzerland, with five of their stars at risk of suspension

If ENGLAND beat Switzerland tonight their semi-final could be a nightmare with FIVE players walking a fine line.

With Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Kieran Trippier, three players are in danger of missing the semi-finals if they receive a yellow card tonight.

Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden are both just one yellow card away from a suspension

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Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden are both just one yellow card away from a suspensionPhoto credit: AFP
Trippier also balances on a rope

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Trippier also balances on a ropePhoto credit: AFP

Like Kobbie Mainoo and Conor Gallagher, they must avoid a yellow card if they want to face the Netherlands or Turkey in the semi-finals.

Of course, the Three Lions have to beat Switzerland first before they can think about that.

The Swiss team itself is also at risk of being banned for several players this evening.

Talisman Granit Xhaka is just one yellow card away from missing the semi-finals if the team makes it that far. He is joined by Remo Freuler, Dan Ndoye, Ricardo Rodriguez and Vincent Sierro.

UEFA rules state that players who receive two yellow cards in two separate matches will be suspended for one match.

From the semi-finals onwards, teams’ yellow cards will be erased so that the team that makes it to the semi-finals can play without fear of a yellow card.

England has already been suspended for the match against Switzerland, with Marc Guehi missing due to suspension.

Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa is expected to step in for Guehi.

Mainoo and Gallagher must also avoid a yellow card tonight

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Mainoo and Gallagher must also avoid a yellow card tonightPhoto credit: AFP

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Southgate needs Mainoo to ease England’s fears, says Jack Wilshere

KOBBIE MAINOO has shown he is the player England need to build their midfield – and their team – writes Jack Wilshere.

That was my feeling when it looked like we were going to lose against Slovakia.

I know he wasn’t on the pitch when we scored.

But until this incredible comeback, Mainoo was our best player.

He is fearless and has the instinct to do the right thing at the right time, something he lacked for much of the game.

Mainoo alongside Declan Rice gives England more structure. At least in theory, because for a long time it didn’t look like it would happen.

You can have any structure you want, but if a team lacks trust both individually and collectively, you cannot use that structure effectively.

Fear can creep in. Fear of failure. Fear of losing the ball.

The fact that Mainoo does not have this ability, or at least does not seem to have it, is partly due to his age.

This was his first start in a major tournament. He doesn’t know what it’s like to have a bad start.

If we want to win this tournament, we need to control the games better, starting with the quarter-final against Switzerland.

Mainoo is the kind of midfielder England have been looking for.

He can be the glue that holds the team together for the rest of the tournament and far beyond.

Read Jack Wilshere’s full column.

Or see all of Jack’s opinions on Euro 2024.

Guehi’s suspension is one of the reasons Gareth Southgate is expected to switch to a back three tonight – with Trippier and Bukayo Saka expected to start at full-back to provide width.

With the three-man defense, England is also tactically on a par with Switzerland, although the Swiss prefer a 3-4-2-1 formation.

There is better news for England in terms of suspension: Jude Bellingham has been cleared to play against Switzerland after making an offensive gesture towards the Slovakian bench in England’s last game.

He was given a one-match suspended ban by UEFA and fined £25,000.

England must resort to old-school style to shock Switzerland … this line-up would be perfect, says Jürgen Klinsmann

It might be time for England to try something different at this European Championship, writes Jürgen Klinsmann.

Perhaps Gareth Southgate would like to start the quarter-final against Switzerland in a 4-4-2 formation, with Ivan Toney alongside Harry Kane up front.

I think it could work and if Gareth agrees, he should do it.

This is the moment when, as a tournament manager, you must trust your gut feeling and never shy away from unpopular decisions.

The quarterfinals are all or nothing. If you win, you’re in the last four and everyone respects you.

A defeat would be unacceptable for major nations like England, Germany, France and Spain.

On Saturday, England will face the best Swiss team of all time – and it will certainly be another rollercoaster ride.

I understand that it can be snobbish to play 4-4-2, but sometimes you have to do something different.

It can still be a fantastic system – two hard-working frontmen like Kane and Toney can pose a real threat to the opposition.

I think England need to surprise the Swiss and try something different.

And that could be a good, old-fashioned 4-4-2.

Read Jürgen Klinsmann’s entire column.

Or see all of Jürgen’s opinions on the 2024 European Championship.

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