Euro 2020 nation struggles for goals as top scorer Rangers star left behind

Switzerland’s future at Euro 2020 hangs in the balance and they could rue the fact they left their top scorer in qualifying and a Rangers star behind for the tournament.

The Swiss have one point from their opening two matches following a 1-1 draw with Wales and 3-0 defeat to Italy and know they need things to go in their favour on the last day of Group A.

Italy midfielder Manuel Locatelli downed Switzerland with a double in Rome. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

They will face off against Turkey – who remain pointless and need a victory to stand any chance of qualification – whilst Wales play form tournament team Italy in the other game.

It remains a tall order but if they are to go through they’re going to need to find the back of the net, something they certainly struggled with against the Italians.

Whilst they do have a range of strikers in the squad, players like Haris Seferovic, Admi Mehmedi and Mario Gavranovic have fired blanks so far, with Breel Embolo netting their only goal of the games.

Cedric Itten was the country’s top scorer in qualifying – albeit it with only three goals – and they may well rue leaving the forward out of the squad despite his indifferent form at Ibrox.

Signed last summer for a reported £2.7m fee from St Gallen last summer, Cedric had a tough time settling into life at Ibrox amid the pandemic.

Still only 24 with a year of living in Scotland under his belt, more will be expected of the Swiss international this season.

But after a first season in Scotland where Itten only showed flashes of his ability – mostly against Motherwell against whom he scored four goals last season – he was left out the Euro 2020 squad.

Swiss striker Cedric Itten was the nation’s top scorer in Euro 2020 qualifying. (Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

This something Switzerland may well regret come the end of the group stages and something Itten himself was bitterly disappointed with.

“Of course, I would have loved to be there,” he admitted [SRF].

“Representing Switzerland at such a big tournament would have been a dream come true. Unfortunately, that’s not the case now.

“But I’m trying to work hard so that I can make it to the next big tournament.

Cedric Itten scored six goals for Rangers last season and will be looking to build on this ahead of the new campaign. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“I always believed in it, but in the end, it’s the coach’s decision and it’s clear that I accept that. I hope that my big time in the national team will still come.”

Whilst Itten works on grounding himself at Ibrox ahead of the new season, one Rangers star at the Euros continues to impress on international duty at the tournament.