2020 European Qualifying Group D: Switzerland v Republic of Ireland (tonight, Stade de Geneve 7.45pm)
NINETY minutes away from the Euros. Only 90 minutes. It seems tantalisingly close, but it still feels a million miles away.
Before a ball has been kicked in Geneva tonight, pace-setters Republic of Ireland sit at the top of Group D.
But tonight's hosts Switzerland and second-placed Denmark are timing their runs for the top two berths that guarantees qualification.
For the Swiss, they must win on home soil to keep their Euro 2020 hopes alive.
For the Irish, they have still two bites at the cherry with the Danes visiting Dublin next month.
One win will do it. Just one elusive win.
But it’s a tall order for the current Irish crew who lack goals – just six in six games – but they don’t concede too many either (two) and is for this reason why they're still in contention as Group D reaches the business end.
On the face of it, Mick McCarthy has done a marvellous job.
But he experienced his first bit of turbulence since returning to the Republic of Ireland post 11 months ago after last Saturday’s scoreless draw in Georgia.
The team struggled to put any attacking play together until the Aaron Connolly’s 78th minute entrance.
The Republic of Ireland manager is expected to a make a couple of changes to the side that struggled in Tbilisi.
U21 ace Connolly appears to have done enough in the 12 minutes he played against Georgia to win his first international start tonight, while Enda Stevens is expected to return to left back after serving a one-game ban.
Matt Doherty, who deputised for Stevens, could slot in on Ireland's right side ahead of Seamus Coleman.
James Collins and Callum Robinson’s places are under threat after disappointing displays against Georgia, with Jeff Hendrick or possibly Alan Browne fancied to play behind Connolly.
“I think we're in a good position,” McCarthy said.
“That's how I feel. Just because we're 90 minutes away doesn't mean to say it's going to happen. You can say it and make everyone feel good about it, but we have a hell of a task on tomorrow night to make sure that would happen playing against, I think, the best team in the group.”
The Swiss, who are still without playmaker Xherdan Shaqiri, are fancied to win and keep their qualification hopes alive after suffering a 1-0 defeat in Denmark last weekend.
After Denmark’s narrow win over the Swiss, former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel dismissed Ireland’s chances in Geneva tonight, describing them as “so bad”.
McCarthy refused to retaliate.
“That's very kind of him” he said. “There are so many people who have opinions of me, my team, my players, I'm not bothered.”
McCarthy will be putting his trust in a defensive unit that has conceded just two goals in six games – a goal apiece to both Switzerland and Denmark.
"I have good defenders and we also have good characters in the team who want to work hard.”
With 3,100 travelling fans expected in the 26,000-capacity stadium, Ireland will park the bus at 7.45 this evening - and don't plan on moving it.
It's up to the Swiss to find a way around it...
