Alisha Lehmann is Switzerland's face of Euro 2025 - but how much of a role will she play on the pitch for the hosts?

To miss out on the Euros would've been a brutal end to what has been a tricky year overall for Lehmann. After coming to the fore in England through her spells with West Ham and Aston Villa in particular, the pacey winger opted for a new challenge, following then-boyfriend Douglas Luiz to Juventus.

It was an adventure that started relatively well for Lehmann, who marked her club debut with a goal in victory over Sassuolo. However, with just one more goal and one assist coming her way before Christmas, the 26-year-old found herself increasingly out of favour. After starting, and scoring, against Sassuolo in November, Lehmann wasn't named to a Juventus line-up in Serie A again until the final day, playing just 81 minutes of football across the next 14 matches.

Unsurprisingly, that lack of game time, as well as an injury, had repercussions on the international front. Lehmann was called into camp in October and November, but then wasn't involved in Switzerland's first two camps in the New Year as they kicked-off their Nations League campaign.

"She was injured and hasn’t played for Juventus in a long time. She needs time to show that she belongs in the team," Sundhage said earlier this year, before adding: "The doors are open to everyone. At the end of the day, there will be a chance for everyone."

There were other reasons to doubt Lehmann's chances of making the cut for Euro 2025, too. One was the fierce competition for places in attack as Barcelona teenager Sydney Schertenleib came to the fore, Roma's Alayah Pilgrim and Freiburg's Svenja Folmi showed good signs and the experienced duo of Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic and Ramona Bachmann remained well involved.

On top of that, Sundhage had changed Switzerland's shape, and it no longer accommodated a natural winger from the start, as Lehmann is. Instead, ex-United States boss Sundhage was often setting her team up in a 3-5-2, meaning the Juventus forward not only had to get back fit and into the squad, but she also had to prove that she could be an asset in such a system.

Fortunately, Lehmann got back on the pitch just in time to do all of that. Returning to action in a 2-0 win over AC Milan in mid-April, after over two months without an appearance, she started the following week as well, getting an hour under her belt in the final game of Juventus' title-winning season.

At first, it looked like it was too late. When Sundhage named her Switzerland squad in May, for La Nati's final two matches of the Nations League group stage, Lehmann wasn't included. It was the last chance to play for her country before the roster for Euro 2025 would be named.

But then a lifeline came. An ankle injury to Alena Bienz saw Lehmann called up at a later date, with her making her first international appearance in six months in the 4-0 defeat to France in late May. Picking up another cap a few days later, against Norway, it will have been a relief for a player who was seemingly out of the picture.

It was enough to secure Lehmann's place at Euro 2025, too, which was confirmed on June 23. "Couldn’t be more happy to represent my country for the Euros," the 26-year-old wrote on social media. "I’m so grateful for the opportunity. Let’s make Switzerland proud and show how women’s football is growing."

Asked what prompted Sundhage to include Lehmann in her squad despite the ups and downs of the past year, the coach explained: "Alisha impressed me in preparation. She has shown that she really wants to be part of this team." Part of that has been her willingness to play in a more defensive role, too, with the Juventus forward actually deployed as a full-back in that last camp. "She convinced us," Sundhage said of Lehmann's performances in that position. "She wants to help the team. That's why she's here."

So, what will Lehmann and Switzerland be looking to achieve at their home Euros? Of course, all involved will hope the tournament can have a huge societal impact and encourage more women and girls to take up football, helping to accelerate the development of the game in a country that is still not as competitive on the world stage as it would hope to be.

Success on the pitch would certainly help that happen, and Switzerland have a great chance at achieving as much. La Nati's status as hosts has granted them a favourable group-stage draw, alongside a Norway team that has underwhelmed since making the Euro 2013 final, an Iceland side that has only won one group-stage match at this tournament in their history and Finland, who haven't progressed to the knockouts since hosting the Euros in 2009.

Switzerland have their own shortcomings, too, though. Victory over the Czech Republic last week was their first since a shock win over France in October 2024, with them failing to win any of their Nations League games in between. Given that group featured Norway and Iceland, it doesn't bode well for this month, while the injury absence of Bachmann, who is one of their most experienced and talented players, is a huge blow as well.

How much Lehmann will figure into proceedings on the pitch remains to be seen, too. Though undoubtedly the most globally-recognisable of the Switzerland squad, she is unlikely to start games at the tournament, meaning she will be an impact player off the bench at best, and even such a role is no sure thing. A tournament where Lehmann doesn't see the pitch isn't out of the question at all.

As a collective, La Nati will be backed by the home crowd and, in Sundhage, they have a coach who has won two Olympic gold medals with the U.S., a silver in charge of Sweden and guided Brazil to Copa America glory. It's not going to be easy, but Lehmann and co will hope they have what it takes to step up this summer and make history for Switzerland.