Switzerland will hope to create history and win their first game against against defending champions Italy in 31 years.
Switzerland vs Italy (Getty Images)
New Delhi: We have reached the elimination stage of UEFA Euro 2024, and Switzerland will play defending champions Italy in the first final-16 game in Olympiastadion, Berlin (Saturday, June 29).
Although Switzerland was unbeaten in the group stage, Germany’s last-minute goal denied them victory, and they failed to win Group A. Dan Ndoye had put Switzerland ahead in the 28th minute, but Niclas Fuulkrug’s equaliser in stoppage time ensured that the Swiss were left with five points on board.
Switzerland started the campaign with an impressive opening win over Hungary. Their last two games ended in a draw. With this qualification, Switzerland have made it to the knockout stage of every last six major tournaments. The only team with a longer streak is France, with seven consecutive major tournament knockout stage appearances.
However, they have failed to win any previous last-16 matches, excluding shootouts, in either Euros or World Cups and have progressed to the quarter-finals on only one occasion.
Italy haven’t played like the defending champions. In their opening game, they won 2-1 against Albania before losing to a strong Spanish side. Their dramatic draw with Croatia saw them through to the next stage.
Croatia led the scoring before substitute Mattia Zaccagni scored a precious goal in second-half stoppage time. Otherwise, Italy were looking at elimination from the group stage itself with three points and a negative goal difference.
Italy have qualified for every quarter-final in the Euros since 2004. Given their underwhelming performance in the qualifiers, they hope to reach that stage, at least despite their almost uncertain appearance in the tournament.
Team News
Switzerland will make a strategic change to its starting XI on Saturday. Leonidas Stergiou will most likely replace the suspended Silvan Widmer, who has now picked up his second tournament booking in their game against Germany.
The Swiss team’s forward position will see Ruben Vargas and Zeki Amdouni vying for a starting spot, with Kwadwo Duah also another contender. However, Breel Embolo, after a long injury layoff, has now made his first international start. He will most likely start again.
In the midfield, the Swiss team will hope to benefit from their captain, Granit Xhaka’s experience. He has made the most appearances as a player in the nation’s history, with 127 games, and has played every minute so far at Euro 2024. His standout performance was in the 1-1 draw with Germany, where he was named ‘Man of the Match ‘. Xhaka will partner with Remo Freuler, who has set up three goals from his last four European Championship appearances.
Italy also has its best defender suspended after Riccardo Calafiori received two yellow cards in the group phase and will have to sit out this game. Since Francesco Acerbi and Giorgio Scalvini are already missing due to pre-tournament injuries, Gianluca Mancini will most likely feature in Azzurri’s defence.
It remains to be seen where he features remains to be seen, given that Luciano Spalletti has recently moved between the heart of a back four or a three-man rearguard and controlled the game well.
Federico Dimarco has sustained a calf problem, which may see versatile Matteo Darmian deputising on the left flank. Nicolo Fagioli could also replace Jorginho, adding more energy in midfield despite missing the last season over a betting ban.
Gianluca Scamacca may return and replace fellow striker Mateo Retegui, whilst Giacomo Raspadori may sit out for Monday’s hero, Mattia Zaccagni. Goalkeeper and captain Gianluigi Donnarumma has made 11 saves, which is the most by an Italian goalkeeper in the opening stage of a major tournament.
Head to Head
Italy haven’t lost to Switzerland since the 1993 Fifa World Cup. They have won 29 games and lost on only seven occasions. Both teams have played 24 draw games. Switzerland will be demoralised by these stats. Their only loss in their last 13 Euro games came in a 3-0 defeat to It. They will hope to overturn these stats and win against the Azzurri team in the German capital in 31 years.
Predicted Lineup
Switzerland: Sommer; Schar, Akanji, Rodriguez; Stergiou, Xhaka, Freuler, Aebischer; Ndoye, Vargas; Embolo
Italy: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Mancini, Bastoni, Darmian; Cristante, Fagioli, Barella; Chiesa, Scamacca, Zaccagni
When, where and how to watch the Switzerland vs Italy match in India?
The Switzerland vs Italy UEFA Euro 2024 match will be telecast live on Sony Sports Network in India. Live streaming of Euro 2024 will be available on SonyLIV app and website. The action begins at 9:30 pm IST tonight.
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