Judging by the friendly matches played on Wednesday evening, Montenegro will have no problem getting at least second place in the qualifying group for the European Championship.
Switzerland played 0:0 in Malta, which was declared a scandal in that country, Bulgaria did not fare any better in Antalya against Estonia (2:2), while the night before Wales was beaten to the bone in a visit to the Republic of Ireland (3:0).
The reputation of Group F was justified only by England, which won 2:1 against Denmark in Copenhagen and confirmed that, along with the leading Montenegro, it is the most serious rival for direct placement at the Euros.
The Swiss had to apologize to the nation after the draw in Malta.
- We deserved all the negative headlines - was the self-critical goalkeeper Diego Benalho. - There is no justification, this is a disaster. All we have to do is apologize to the fans.
Next month, the Swiss will play a qualifying match with Bulgaria in Sofia, which is their last chance to preserve any hope of qualifying for the European Championship.
- We have to stay positive, no matter how hard it is at the moment. We need to save our energy for Sofia, because that game is for us to be or not to be - said midfielder Hakan Jakin.
The atmosphere in the Bulgaria camp is no better. The media in this country are already used to the bad results of the national team, so after the draw with Estonia they did not criticize too much.
- We didn't play well, and when that's the case, the result isn't good either. I am convinced that we will be better against Switzerland, because everything depends on that game - said Lotar Mateus, coach of Bulgaria.
In the event of a draw or defeat of Switzerland, Montenegro would secure the second position in the group and a place in the play-offs with a triumph over Bulgaria in May.
Dl.M.
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