Tami aware that Belarus could spoil 'biggest game'

Switzerland coach Pierluigi Tami calls it the biggest game of his career while Belarus's Georgi Kondratyev reckons his team can be a match for the Group A leaders.

What is certain, amid all the declarations and points permutations concerning Saturday's group-stage finale, is that at least one of these sides will proceed from the Aarhus Stadion to a midweek semi-final. Switzerland are the better placed of the two countries, with victories over Denmark and Iceland putting them three points above the third-positioned Belarusians.

If Tami did not hold back when agreeing with reporters that this was his most important match as a coach, it will also be far from the easiest. "Belarus are a very solid team. They play with pace when they go forward, they counterattack well and they are also dangerous from set pieces," he said. "You cannot underestimate anyone in these finals and we have great respect for Belarus. The fact they were at this tournament in 2009 tells you something."

Switzerland will be told to go for the win, whatever lineup Tami announces on matchday. With a decision to make about who leads the line – Admir Mehmedi, Mario Gavranović and Nassim Ben Khalifa are options – all the trainer's energies are going into this contest. "You cannot look beyond Saturday," he said. "We have to take things step by step."

Belarus's options are reduced by suspensions to defender Sergei Politevich and midfielder Nikita Bukatkin, but a squad already reduced by injuries is boosted by the recovery of Pavel Nekhaychik – the forward could make his first appearance of this UEFA European Under-21 Championship. Coach Kondratyev concurred with Tami's assessment that "the teams are evenly matched", explaining: "I still believe all the sides in the group are at a similar level."

He nonetheless rates the Swiss highly, sparing particular praise for goalkeeper Yann Sommer. "We have watched their matches and haven't found a weakness. They are a very balanced team. But Switzerland should thank their goalkeeper for not conceding a goal yet."

The hope for Belarus is that their opponents will not have the benefit of an early goal as they did against Iceland in midweek. Swiss confidence levels are already approaching an Alpine high. "We will try to impose our game plan," Kondratyev promised. "Losing two players to suspension will cause us problems, but I think the boys on the pitch will do everything. They are working hard and won't shirk from the challenge."