Scotland Euro 2020 preview: Key players, strengths, weaknesses and expectations

It’s been 23 long years since France ’98, but thanks to David Marshall’s big left paw, Scotland are finally back in the big-time at this summer’s European Championships.

Party fever is gripping the nation as Steve Clarke’s team gather themselves to try and go where no Scotland team has gone before. Getting out of Group D, which also features England and Croatia, will not be an easy task, but the Scots go into it high on belief and with nothing to lose.

Clarke has been keen to temper expectations heading into a first major tournament in more than two decades, but the rest of us can’t help but get a little ahead of ourselves.

Are we going to win it? Probably not.

Could we win it? Look, if Greece can do it…

It’s pretty wild to think about how far Scotland have come in the two-and-a-bit years since qualifying for Euro 2020 kicked off. Back in March 2019, they started things with a 3-0 defeat to Kazakhstan, and couldn’t have looked further from European Championship material.

Unsurprisingly, the dismissal of McLeish and the arrival of Clarke came just weeks later, and it took the new man a while to get things going. Their form in Clarke’s early days was mixed, and Russia and Belgium took control of Group I, but comfortable victories over San Marino, Cyprus and Kazakhstan (the second time) led them to third place.

Winning their Nations League group, though, meant they had a second chance to qualify. Penalties were required to take care of Israel, and that set up a shootout with Serbia in Belgrade, for which Scotland were not fancied one bit.

In what can only be described as Clarke’s finest hour as a manager, though, Scotland and their shint new five-at-the-back formation stepped up and took the game to the Serbs. Aleksandar Mitrovic’s late equaliser looked like a heartbreaker, but Scotland recovered to win it on penalties, and mayhem ensued.

The Israel and Serbia games were the first penalty shootouts in Scotland’s competitive history, and they didn’t miss a single kick in either. So yeah, if it comes to it later this month, there’s that.

In terms of the actual game of football, though, Scotland’s strengths lie in the collective. Clarke’s consistent team selection throughout his two years in charge has bred a group of players who know each other inside out.

They’re aggressive, organised, and hard to break down, as two defeats in their last 12 matches will attest. But they are also well-drilled in the 5-3-2 shape that Clarke favours, and that is often enough to catch out bigger sides who are less secure in their shape.

Despite their rigid shape, there is also an intensity to the Scotland team, something which unsettled the Netherlands in their recent warmup friendly. The extra defender gives the forward players more security to press, and with energetic wing-backs like Andy Robertson and Stephen O’Donnell in the side, it can be effective against anyone.

Look, there’s a reason Scotland are ranked 44th in the world. Clarke has done a stellar job if steadying the ship and installing a gritty mentality into the team that was missing under McLeish and Gordon Strachan, but ultimately, the group is still limited in ability in comparison to the likes of England and Croatia.

Opta recently gave them a 0.1% chance of winning the Euros, better only than Slovakia and North Macedonia, and while that may seem a little harsh, it’s a reminder that Scotland still have a long way to go yet.

While they are a hard team to beat, it’s also worth noting that they often have a tough time winning in 90 minutes. Since qualifying, the Scots have only won one of their six matches outright, and they need to start finding a killer touch in games.

Finding the right combination of Lyndon Dykes, Ryan Christie, Che Adams and Kevin Nisbet up front could be the key there – Clarke is yet to crack that code.

When qualifying started for the Euros, Lyndon Dykes was an Australian striker playing for Queen of the South in the Scottish Championship. Now he’s a fully-fledged Scotland international and a vital part of Clarke’s side.

The target man doesn’t exactly bang the goals in for his adopted country but his work off the ball is akin to Olivier Giroud. He’s the reason the players around him score goals.

Elsewhere, John McGinn’s ten goals in 32 caps tell you all you need to know about his creative influence over the Scotland team. The five-defender system, meanwhile, has got the best out of Kieran Tierney, whose rampaging runs forward from the left of the back three are the driving force in much of what Scotland do.

And how could you not mention Saturday Night David Marshall? What a man.

Clarke has named his final 26-player squad, though it remains to be seen if John Fleck will be able to travel after he tested positive for Covid-19.

Goalkeepers: Craig Gordon, David Marshall, Jon McLaughlin

Defenders: Liam Cooper, Declan Gallagher, Grant Hanley, Jack Hendry, Scott McKenna, Stephen O’Donnell, Nathan Patterson, Andy Robertson, Greg Taylor, Kieran Tierney

Midfielders: Stuart Armstrong, Ryan Christie, John Fleck, Billy Gilmour, John McGinn, Callum McGregor, Scott McTominay, David Turnbull

Forwards: Che Adams, Lyndon Dykes, James Forrest, Ryan Fraser, Kevin Nisbet

Despite all their recent improvement, Scotland are the lowest ranked team in their group, and the fourth-lowest in the entire competition. If they do anything at all this summer, it will be an upset, and that’s why Clarke has been urging realism.

Having said that.

The expanded 24-team tournament does give them a better chance than ever of making it beyond the group stage. And the fact their first game comes against the Czech Republic, a team roughly in line with them ability-wise, gives them a reasonable platform to get off to a good start.

If they can win that game and nick a point from either England or Croatia – the latter of whom have never beaten Scotland, ever – then they might just find themselves making history.

Dejan Kulusevski back in Sweden squad after positive COVID test

Sweden duo Dejan Kulusevski and Mattias Svanberg have returned to the Sweden squad after periods of self-isolation following positive COVID-19 tests.

The Blågult take on Group E favourites Spain in Seville on Monday night to kick off their Euro 2020 campaign.

They will be strengthened by the returns of Kulusevski and Svanberg, who have been allowed to re-enter the Swedish national team bubble having now returned negative tests.

Team doctor Anders Valentin had insisted that the pair would only return to the team once it was completely safe, and in turn allow Sweden to release the six players who were on the standby list in case they needed replacing for the tournament.

“We have had daily contact with both Dejan and Mattias and both are fine,” Valentin said, via The Athletic.

90min is following Kulusevski's progress for Sweden at Euro 202090min is following Kulusevski's progress for Sweden at Euro 2020

“We have of course followed the restrictions that apply in Sweden and feel completely confident that the boys will return to us in the squad as soon as they are guaranteed infection-free.”

Kulusevski, part of 90min’s Our 21, has already emerged as one of Sweden’s best players.

The 21-year-old completed a move to Serie A giants Juventus last year, and made 47 appearances in all competitions for I Bianconeri in his debut season, scoring seven goals and providing seven assists.

Dejan kulusevskiDejan kulusevski

Kulusevski has already thrived in big games in his career so far / Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images

He was Juve’s fourth highest-scorer after Cristiano Ronaldo, Alvaro Morata and Federico Chiesa in a season where the club failed to win the Serie A title for the first time in a decade.

Kulusevski scored and assisted in Juventus’ Coppa Italia final triumph against Atalanta, showing already his ability to perform on big occasions.

Sweden will need him fit and firing if they’re to make it out of Group E. After playing Spain on Monday, they face Slovakia on 18 June before rounding off the group against Poland on 23 June.

Turkey vs Wales: TV channel, live stream, team news & prediction

Fresh off the back of an impressive 1-1 draw with Switzerland, Wales will be looking to add their first victory of this summer’s European Championships when they face Turkey on Wednesday.

Turkey were many fans’ dark horses coming into the tournament, but they were comprehensively thumped 3-0 by Italy in their first game and will know anything less than a victory here could be fatal to their chances of qualification.

Here’s everything you need to know about their Group A game.

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Wales Training Session and Press Conference - UEFA Euro 2020: Group AWales Training Session and Press Conference - UEFA Euro 2020: Group A

Baku will host the game / Naomi Baker/Getty Images

When is kick off? Wednesday 16 June, 17:00 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Baku Olympic Stadium, Baku
What TV Channel is it on? BBC One (UK), ESPN (US)
Who is the referee? Artur Soares Dias
Who’s on VAR duty? Joao Pinheiro

Senol GunesSenol Gunes

Gunes has a full squad to choose from / Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

The damage to their pride was the only injury for Turkey against Italy, so manager Senol Gunes will have his full 26-man squad to select from for this game.

Having seen his side so aggressively out-run in midfield in their opening game, Gunes may opt to shake things up in the centre of the pitch, where Feyenoord starlet Orkun Kokcu and Fenerbahce’s Irfan Kahveci are waiting for the chance to shine.

Kieffer MooreKieffer Moore

Moore shook off a clash of heads / Aziz Karimov/Getty Images

Hero striker Kieffer Moore clearly wasn’t feeling the effects of the clash of heads he suffered against Switzerland, heading home an equaliser while sporting a patriotic red headband to mask his wound. Some fans may even hope to see him wearing it again as a good luck charm.

Robert Page has a full crop of players to select from here, and with so much on the line, expect him to go all out in search of victory.

Liverpool starlet Neco Williams was kept on the bench for the Switzerland draw in favour of Swansea’s Connor Roberts, so he will be raring to go for this one and will hope to bring his big-game experience to steer Wales to victory.

Turkey: Cakir; Celik, Soyuncu, Demiral, Meras; Yokuslu; Under, Yazici, Kokcu, Calhanoglu; Yilmaz.

Wales: Ward; Williams, Rodon, Mepham, Davies; Allen, Ramsey, Ampadu; Bale, Moore, James.

Turkey and Wales have met six times over the years, all of which have come in qualification tournaments for either the Euros or the World Cup.

Wales edge their head-to-head by three wins to two, with a single draw, though their last meeting ended in a splendidly entertaining 6-4 win for Turkey in 1997. More of that, please.

Burak YilmazBurak Yilmaz

Turkey are looking for their first point / Alberto Lingria – Pool/Getty Images

A week ago, Turkey would have been the favourites for this one, but they looked really off it against Italy and quickly had people backing them to go deep in the tournament. Sure, facing Italy is a tough ask, but they didn’t even look like they wanted to win.

Wales still feel like the underdogs, but they’ll fancy their chances against a wounded Turkey side. All the momentum is on their side and Page’s men will feel confident of getting a good result, although they cannot afford to underestimate this Turkey side.

This one really could go either way, and don’t be surprised to see both teams cancel each other out.

Prediction: Turkey 1-1 Wales

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Italy vs Switzerland: TV channel, live stream, team news & prediction

Italy got their Euro 2020 campaign off to a flyer at Stadio Olimpico on Friday night with a comfortable victory over Turkey and will look to take another step towards qualification for the knockout rounds when they face Switzerland on Wednesday.

The Azzurri were expected to face tough opposition in Senol Gunes’ side, tipped by many to be the dark horses of the competition, but made light work of the visitors.

Roberto Mancini’s men were completely dominant but the visit of Switzerland should give us a better indication of how good they actually were and how much their dominance was down to their opponents’ poor performance.

Switzerland took the lead against Wales on Saturday through Breel Embolo, who scored his first goal for his country at a major tournament, and seemed on course for the win. However, Kieffer Moore’s header ensured the points were shared, leaving the Swiss in need of positive result on Wednesday.

Here’s everything you need to know heading into Italy vs Switzerland.

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AS Roma v Bayer LeverkusenAS Roma v Bayer Leverkusen

The Stadio Olimpico in Rome will host Italy vs Switzerland / Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

When is kick off? Wednesday 16 June, 20:00 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Stadio Olimpico, Rome
What TV channel is it on? ITV (UK), fuboTV (US)
Who is the referee? Sergei Karasev
Who’s on VAR duty? Bastian Dankert

Mancini was without Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti in their opener against Turkey and he’s a doubt going into Wednesday’s fixture.

Stefano Sensi and Lorenzo Pellegrini have both had to withdraw from the squad through injury and have been replaced by Fiorentina’s Gaetano Castrovilli and Atalanta’s Matteo Pessina.

Mario GavranovicMario Gavranovic

Mario Gavranovic came on as a substitute during Wales vs Switzerland / Naomi Baker/Getty Images

Switzerland have no injury concerns following their 1-1 draw with Wales in Baku.

Vladimir Petkovic is expected to name pretty much the same side for the trip to the Italian capital, although he could opt for Mario Gavranovic up front after Haris Seferovic’s underwhelming performance.

Italy: Donnarumma; Florenzi, Bonucci, Chiellini, Spinazzola; Barella, Jorginho, Locatelli; Berardi, Immobile, Insigne.

Switzerland: Sommer; Elvedi, Schar, Akanji; Mbabu, Freuler, Xhaka, Rodriguez; Shaqiri, Embolo, Gavranovic.

He may not have got a kick in Italy’s opener and could find minutes tough to come by if Ciro Immobile carries on his goalscoring form, but Giacomo Raspadori shouldn’t have any problems adapting if he’s given the nod at any point on Wednesday.

Italy’s attack was one of the most fluid we’ve seen so far in the tournament and a potential link-up with Sassuolo teammate Domenico Berardi could work wonders.

Italy have won 28 of their 58 games against Switzerland, being defeated eight times and drawing 22.

The two sides have been drawn together in various qualification groups before but this will be the first time they’ve faced each other in a major tournament since the 1962 World Cup, when Italy won 3-0.

Roberto ManciniRoberto Mancini

Mancini will be hoping his side can pick up where they left off against Turkey / Filippo Monteforte – Pool/Getty Images

Judging by the first glimpses we’ve had of both sides, it’s difficult to predict anything other than an Italy win. Mancini’s side were defensively secure and surprisingly aggressive in their press against Turkey, and their attacking play had a refreshing variety to it.

Switzerland were pretty tidy in their build-up play against Wales but lacked the cutting edge required in the final third. If the Italians are anywhere near as aggressive as they were on Friday, Switzerland will struggle to keep them at bay.

Prediction: Italy 2-0 Switzerland

The best kit from each European Championship

The actual football is obviously the best part of every European Championship, but let’s not pretend like kit releases aren’t a close second.

Since the dawn of the Euros in 1960, the idea of a kit has changed drastically. What was once simply a means of telling two teams apart is now a gateway to cultural expression, and with football and fashion now linking up, we’ve seen some absolute beauties over the years.

Here’s a rundown of the best kits on show at each European Championship.

A simpler time, kits in 1960 were pretty basic. Just slap your name on and you’re good to go.

With most fans of the other finalists complaining that they couldn’t figure out which team was which on black and white TV most of the time, shout out to the Soviet Union for standing out.

Now we’re starting to stand out. Fellow finalists Spain, Denmark and the Soviet Union were all about plain shirts, but not Hungary. Hungary woke up feeling funky.

It’s unique and classy, and it’s gorgeous.

With just four teams at the finals sporting pretty much the exact same shirt, we’re not really spoilt for choice in 1968.

We’re going to give the nod to Italy. They haven’t won since wearing this shirt, so maybe it’s lucky.

Teams were starting to get a little braver by this point. Instead of block colours, it was the smaller details which set the kits apart.

West Germany’s famous white shirt deserves credit, but the Belgian flag accents on this one are something else.

The Netherlands marked their first appearance at the Euros with a real beauty.

The tournament was stretched out to eight teams from 1980 onwards, so we’ve got more to enjoy coming up.

That Netherlands beauty was still kicking about in 1980, but it’s got to be England, doesn’t it?

*Perms and moustaches not included.

After so many years of largely underwhelming kits, 1984 went hard.

Belgium had beauties for both home and away, Yugoslavia weren’t messing about, West Germany brought another gem.

But it’s France. It has to be France.

One of the easiest selections on this list. The Netherlands brought this worldie to Euro 1988, creating one of the all-time greatest kits in the process.

Marco van Basten, Ruud Gillit, Ronald Koeman & Friends romped to their first Euros title in this kit. Coincidence? I think not.

Tomas BrolinTomas Brolin

Tomas Brolin / Simon Bruty/Getty Images

Littered with so many underappreciated kits, Euro 1992 doesn’t get nearly as much credit as it deserved. England, the Netherlands, Scotland and Germany all brought bangers.

However, the nod is going to Sweden. This was their first Euros, having qualified as hosts, and they made a statement with the most aggressively adidas kit you’ve ever seen.

It was based on the Liverpool strip from the previous season, but the yellow/blue combo hit so much harder than Liverpool’s red/white.

Paul GascoignePaul Gascoigne

England’s 1996 shirt is the stuff of legend / Getty Images/Getty Images

1996 is a tough one. On the podium are Germany and Croatia, both of whom brought some gorgeous garms to England for the tournament.

It’s the Three Lions who win out here, though. Their design was just so simple and has been immortalised by one of the wildest summer’s in the history of English football.

Italy changed the game in 2000. Gone were the big, baggy shirts of yesteryear, and in came the figure-hugging jerseys which saw football and fashion overlap for the first time.

Truthfully, there’s not much to this Italy shirt, but that’s part of the charm. It’s just so simple, with no unnecessary frills. You want a football shirt? You got it.

Thomas HelvegThomas Helveg

Denmark went old-school / Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Another toughie in 2004. Sweden brought some fire, Italy’s white away shirt was an elegant gem, Croatia did bits and Portugal were in with a shout, but there’s something about this Denmark kit that just hits different.

This hummel gem just looks so right and is now synonymous with Denmark, with the chevrons down the sleeves forcing the extra logos to sit above the armpits, but that’s part of the appeal. They went old-school, and it worked.

Germany v Poland - Group B Euro 2008Germany v Poland - Group B Euro 2008

Germany went big in 2008 / Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

2008 was the year of ‘stick a flag across the chest’. Regardless of which brand made the shirt, a lot of them looked suspiciously similar.

Among the best of this bunch were Russia and Germany, but we’re giving this one to Miroslav Klose & co. It’s the subtle red and yellow accents on the flag which set this apart from the rest, and choosing to stick the number in the black block was a smart call.

Arjen RobbenArjen Robben

The Netherlands sprung a little surprise / VI-Images/Getty Images

2012 saw pretty much everybody apart from Ireland bring some real heat, so there’s about ten kits that could win out. Croatia, Sweden, England, France, Greece and Germany can all feel hard done by.

What sets this Netherlands away shirt apart from the rest is the fact that it came as a little surprise. Few expected the near-full black look, but it just clicked perfectly with the orange accent on the shoulder.

Croatia’s funky off-centre chequered vibe deserves more credit than it’s going to get here, and we’ve got to give Sweden a shout-out, but Belgium came out firing with both their home and away kits.

We can’t even tell which one is better. Is it the home kit with the gorgeous red/black blend, or the baby blue away kit with the Belgium flag doing work across the chest?

We’re not picking. They both win. Yay Belgium.

adidas and Belgium are not messing around these days.

Germany and France both come close, but how are you supposed to look past this beauty? The brush-stroke design is everything.