France and Switzerland both booked their places in the last-16 of Euro 2016 on Sunday night by playing out a 0-0 draw in Lille.
While Les Bleus were on top for long periods of the game they were unable to find a way past Yann Sommer in their neighbours’ goal and on this occasion there were to be no last-minute heroics.
Sport360 rounds-up the best of the post-match reaction:
“Switzerland keeper (Yann) Sommer was the man of the match and, when the goalkeeper is man of the match, that shows we had chances.
“I know the players are well aware that we can improve in a number of different areas. That said, but for a great goalkeeper and a few centimetres, or being more clinical, we could have scored goals.
“There was a time when people said we weren’t very good defensively but at least we’ve stabilised that – without compromising on our forward threat.
“Positives? The results. We got through, scored goals and created chances, and resolved a number of things defensively in a short space of time. There was a lot of focus on defending set pieces. In terms of our control in attacking play, we can always do better, but I’m pleased with what the players are doing.”
“We’re very happy, it’s great for Switzerland to be in the last 16 of a tournament like this. We deserved to get through this group; we played well today, we had a bit of luck too. We played well and kept the ball – it’s a great result for our country.
“I don’t have a preference [for the last 16] – we haven’t thought too much about what would happen after this game. Our concentration was on this game, we needed to get one point minium and we’ve done that. Now we have a week to rest, a bit of an easier week, and we’ll see who we play next. We’re relaxed about that.”
#SUI keeper Yann Sommer is the @carlsberg Man of the Match for #SUIFRA. #EURO2016 pic.twitter.com/1mEk5phbV7
— UEFA EURO 2016 (@UEFAEURO) June 19, 2016
“We played well and held firm. We’re through, we can rest up and it’s for other sides to push to play against us.
“All three of our potential opponents are very good; we played Poland in a friendly and they’re a good side, nothing needs to be said about Germany and Northern Ireland are a surprise. We’re relaxed; it’s a knockout match.
“(I’m pleased) with the whole team; when the team is compact, we perform much better. We saw that from the second game onwards – and if we cut out individual mistakes, we can do even better. Many sides are based on good defensive work and playing very compactly. That was the case today.”
