Luciano Spalletti’s underwhelming Italy side will face an organised, confident Switzerland team on Saturday in the first of the last-16 matches at Euro 2024.
The Azzurri played poorly at times during the group stages, falling to a damaging defeat to Spain in their second game and needing a 98th-minute goal from Mattia Zaccagni to get a draw against Croatia to take them through. And the round of 16 pits them against an assured Switzerland side who earned five points in Group A, with draws against Scotland and Germany following a convincing 3-1 win over Hungary in their opener.
Switzerland are no strangers to a Euros upset, having beaten France on penalties at this stage in 2021, and with both teams are evenly matched on paper, expect a close encounter in Berlin as the knockout rounds get underway.
Follow all the latest action from Switzerland vs Italy below.
Switzerland vs Italy
The teams make their way out onto the pitch in Berlin.
This is the first of the knockout matches and there are good feelings around Switzerland who have played so far in this tournament. Italy seem like a side still transitioning into an experienced group but they are stubborn and know how to win.
Can Switzerland shock the Italians?
Kick off is up next…
Switzerland vs Italy
Gianluca Mancini is the first Italian to make his Euros debut in a knockout round match, since the introduction the group stage in 1980.
Switzerland vs Italy
Overall, the Italians have seen more games go to extra time than any other nation across the World Cup and European Championship (21), and have contested the joint-highest number of penalty shootouts, along with Spain (both 11).
Switzerland vs Italy
15 of Italy’s last 26 knockout matches at major international tournaments have gone to extra time, including four of their last five.
We could be in for a long one today.
Switzerland vs Italy
Switzerland have reached the knockout stages at each of the last six major international tournaments (European Championship/World Cup) since the start of the 2014 World Cup.
The only European nation enjoying a longer such run is France (seven in a row).
Euro 2024’s eliminated teams prove the controversial format is working
It took 36 games to get rid of eight teams. It will take 15 more to dispense with another 15. There can be a lopsided element to Euro 2024, taking a long time to remove one-third of sides, then rushing to expel the others. The last few days have been laced with reprieves for those who occupied third place; the way 16 of 24 advanced meant Slovenia and Slovakia could settle for draws in their final group games.
At times, it underlined the argument that there is a purity and a greater sense of jeopardy to the old model of four groups of four. Certainly, overloaded with quality outfits, Groups B and D were a throwback to the days of 16-team European Championships; reasons to rue the expansion, perhaps. Had the tournament been smaller there would have been more pool-stage games such as Croatia against Italy, with everything on the line. As it transpired, Italy would have been out but for their very late leveller.
Switzerland vs Italy
Since winning 1-0 in a May 1993 World Cup qualifier, Switzerland are winless in 11 matches against Italy in all competitions (D6 L5).
They are only on longer winless runs against England (13 games) and Russia (12, including games as USSR), while Italy are only on longer current unbeaten runs against Finland (14) and Turkey (13).
Switzerland vs Italy
This will be Switzerland and Italy’s fifth meeting at a major international tournament.
The Swiss won both games at the 1954 World Cup (2-1 in the group and 4-1 in the group play-off) but Italy have won the last two, 3-0 wins in the group stages of the 1962 World Cup and at Euro 2020.
Italy’s memories of Berlin
This match takes place at Berlin’s Olympiastadion, where Italy beat France on penalties to win the 2006 World Cup.
Coach Luciano Spalletti saidd: “Beside the fact everyone remembers the moment we enjoyed in Berlin when we won the [2006 World Cup] final, on the coaching team with us we have ‘Gigi’ Buffon, who has told everyone about it.
“We have been reliving the excitement which we enjoyed watching from home back in 2006.”
Switzerland vs Italy team changes
Switzerland make one change to the team that drew 1-1 with Germany last time out. Silvan Widmer is suspended so Ruben Vargas is brought in to bolster the forward line.
Italy make six changes to the team that lined-up against Croatia in their final group match.
Riccardo Calafiori is suspended so misses the match. Federico Dimarco, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Giacomo Raspadori, Jorginho and Mateo Retegui are all omitted with Gianluca Scamacca, Federico Chiesa, Nicolo Fagioli, Bryan Cristante, Gianluca Mancini and Stephan El Shaarawy all brought in.
Source: independent.co.uk
