Arsenal midfielder Lia Wälti says that Switzerland and Portugal are underdogs in Group C and that this evening’s game at the Leigh Sports Village is a big one.
The 29-year-old is the captain of the Swiss side. Wälti will lead the team out as they make just their second UEFA Women’s EURO appearance.
With games against Sweden and The Netherlands on the horizon, this evening’s game is a ‘must-win’ for Switzerland and Wälti is not playing down that fact.
“We know that it is going to be a really important game, not only because it’s the opening game at the tournament but because Portugal are on a similar level to us,” Wälti said when speaking in the pre-match press conference. “We are both the underdogs of the group so it is even more important to take this game seriously.
“Portugal are a really good team, a physical team with a lot of individual speed in their players, they’ve got good physicality in their game. It’ll be a big battle, a big fight but hopefully, it’ll end with victory for us.”
While the game against Portugal is huge, Wälti went on to say that every game in the group holds significance and that Switzerland could look to thrive on their underdogs tag in their other games.
“Yes, of course (it’s ‘must-win’), it is probably the game which we have the most hope for getting the three points but in a tournament, every single game is important.
“Maybe against Holland and Sweden there is something for us to win because they have got the pressure on their backs and we won’t because we are the underdogs. A good start to the tournament is what we wish for and what every team is aiming for so I agree that this game is probably the most important right now.”
Switzerland’s opening match against Portugal kicks-off at 5pm.
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