Euro 2024: Everything you need to know about Switzerland vs Italy
By Seyi Babalola
Switzerland and Italy will face off in the round of 16 of the UEFA Euro 2024 opener on Saturday, June 29 by 5 pm.
Switzerland easily advanced from Group A, maintaining an unbeaten run and coming close to finishing ahead of Germany until a stoppage-time Niclas FĂźllkrug equalizer from the hosts in their last encounter left them as runners-up.
Murat Yakin’s team does not look intimidated by any of their opponents, and they will have no fear of facing holders Italy in Berlin.
“The first step is done,” said captain Granit Xhaka. “We are looking forward to the next round and our opponents. I think everyone has a little more respect for Switzerland now.”
Meanwhile, Mattia Zaccagni’s stunning 98th-minute equalizer against Croatia secured Italy’s second place in Group B, a moment that might prove vital in their campaign.
“We’re going step by step,” said forward Mateo Retegui. “We’ll play against another strong team in Switzerland but we want to win and go forward.”
Italians and Swiss have always maintained tight relations as they share a border and Italian is one of Switzerland’s official languages, but this will be forgotten in Berlin.
The two teams met in the group round of Euro 2020 and Italy won 3-0 in Rome. This round of 16 matchup might turn out to be significantly closer.
Speaking ahead of the match, Luciano Spalletti, Italy coach said: “We know we are up against very awkward customers in Switzerland. We have not managed to show all our potential so far, or maybe we only did so for a few moments.
“We deserved to qualify, even if we needed a last-gasp goal, but we need to take it up a step, especially in terms of personality.”
Also, Murat Yakin, Switzerland coach noted: “We have fought very hard to make it here, and these are special games. Year in and year out with the Switzerland national team there are some very interesting games. We’re very happy to play against Italy, and I think it will be a very open game.
“I don’t want to be drawn on who the favourite is. We know about their quality, their tactics, and temperament, so it will certainly be special and we hope it can pan out the same way as our recent previous meetings.”
The match will be broadcast on GOtv and DStv. On GOtv channel 61, and DStv channels 222 and 225, respectively.
Possible line-ups
Italy: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Mancini, Bastoni, Darmian; Barella, Fagioli, Cristante; Chiesa, Scamacca, El Shaarawy
Suspended: Calafiori
Misses next match if booked: Cristante, Donnarumma, Fagioli, Pellegrini
Switzerland: Sommer; Schär, Akanji, RodrĂguez; Stergiou, Xhaka, Freuler, Aebischer; Ndoye, Embolo, Vargas
