Senderos demands winning start

Defender calls for three points against Czech Republic

Last updated: 5th June 2008

Senderos demands winning start

Senderos: Czech curtain raiser

There is pressure, but it is a good kind of pressure.

Philippe Senderos
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Philippe Senderos fears Switzerland will be heading for an early Euro 2008 exit if they do not record three points in Saturday's opening game against Czech Republic.

Co-hosts Switzerland take on the Czechs at St-Jakob stadium in the finals' curtain raiser and Arsenal defender Senderos has spelt out the need to get off to a positive start.

After their meeting with the Czechs, who were semi-finalists in 2004, Switzerland go on to face Turkey and Portugal in Group A.

And Senderos is well aware that a failure to kick off with a victory could leave Switzerland facing an uphill task in their attempts to reach the knock-out stages.

Massive

"It is a massive game for us," said Senderos. "It is absolutely vital that we get off to a good start.

"Everyone in Switzerland has been waiting for this moment for so long and hopefully we can live up to the expectations.

"It would be a major disappointment if we did not go through because we know we have got the ability to do that.

"There is pressure, but it is a good kind of pressure - there is a real desire in the squad to show our quality and what we are capable of."