Switzerland manager Murat Yakin isn’t using Scotland’s comprehensive Euro 2024 opening defeat against Germany as a reference point ahead of tomorrow’s meeting in Cologne.

Steve Clarke’s side were defeated 5-1 at the Allianz Arena on Friday while Yakin’s team impressed with a 3-1 win over Hungary the following day.

Murmurs from the Scotland camp have all suggested that Clarke’s players can set aside the disappointment of defeat against the hosts and show a better face as they try to keep Euro 2024 dreams alive. And while Yakin was outwardly confident in his own team and tactics, the Swiss boss also knows he’ll face a Scotland side requiring a response to heavy criticism back home.

“The game Scotland played [against Germany] is not a reference point, they can play very well. We have a lot of confidence but we think they will have prepared well to disrupt us,” he said.

“They have to show a reaction but I hope we can play our game as planned. It was the first game for both Germany and Scotland and the pressure was very high. Germany played a very hard game and were very concentrated. Not only did they score goals but played hard against the ball and that was key in this game.”

Yakin arrived at the tournament under external pressure but has won favour with the manner of Switzerland’s win over Hungary. Reflecting on the win, the 49-year-old explained his thinking behind some new tactical ideas and the importance of how Switzerland play off the ball to control proceedings.

“After we had test games [before the tournament] and there were one or two corrections, we prepared for Hungary and implemented those changes very well,” he added.

“We’re still playing the usual game with a lot of ball possession, but we have changed a few positions and moves to make us even more dangerous and it worked for us. Will that work for us again? We shall see tomorrow. I am really looking forward to this match, we have great fans who have supported us and there was a great atmosphere in the stadium.

“We also have to work hard off the ball, it’s not just about playing with the football, you have to run and when you play against Scotland you know what they are capable of doing. I am sure they want to hurt us where they have strengths. We need to concentrate, focus, work hard and get into the game. They will not make it easy for us.”

Meanwhile Manchester City's Manuel Akanji picked out the players he believes stand in the way of Switzerland winning their second successive game at Euro 2024.

“I have played against a lot of players who start for Scotland,” he added.

“John McGinn had a great season, Scott McTominay too with Man United scoring a lot of goals. McGinn has a great impact in offense and works hard off the ball. Andy Robertson has been playing for a long time and he is always dangerous on the wing. These are the players I have mainly played against, I know they have Kieran Tierney too but I don’t think I have played against him yet.”

Like his manager, Akanji is sure that a hurting Scotland will prove a dangerous opponent in Cologne. Clarke’s team need at least a point to keep any hopes of progression alive and travel north knowing a repeat of their showing on matchday one will ensure the Hungary tie on Sunday is nothing but a dead rubber.

“They lost the first game and didn’t show the best performance while playing a lot of time with a man down,” he added.

“Scotland will want to show everyone they’re a better team like they did during a great qualification campaign. We have prepared for that and like us, they want three points to go into the next round. We have to be ready for the start as we know they can play a lot better than they did in the first game.”

The 28-year-old arrives at the tournament on the back of another excellent domestic season as Man City secured a fourth consecutive league title.

A late mistake in the penultimate 1-0 win away at Tottenham so nearly surrendered control of the title to Arsenal heading into the final day of the season but Stefan Ortega’s one-v-one save when Heung Min-Son was sent through on goal late in the game spared blushes.

“This title is very important as we are the first team to win four in a row. It was also unbelievable in my first year incredible to win treble,” the defender added.

“That game against Tottenham… I discussed it with Pep [Guardiola] afterwards. I had two ideas in my head and the second was the wrong one. Sometimes that happens in football and instead you should just kick the ball away but thankfully I had a good goalkeeper behind me.”