European Football Championship - Debacle for defending champions Italy: elimination against Switzerland
Title Defender Out: A completely underperforming Italy deservedly lost to strongly performing Swiss in the EURO 2024 round of 16. At the 0:2 (0:1) on Saturday in front of 68,172 spectators in Berlin, Luciano Spalletti's selection had no chance but to lose further. Remo Freuler scored in the 37th minute, and Ruben Vargas followed suit in the 46th for the German group stage opponent. Switzerland faces the winner of the England vs. Slovakia match in the quarterfinals on July 6 in Düsseldorf.
Eighteen years after the 2006 World Cup triumph, the Italians returned to Berlin full of excitement - and experienced a massive disappointment. The Azzurri were inferior in all aspects and deservedly suffered their first loss against Switzerland since 1993. The exciting football that Italy played to win the EURO 2021 and beat Switzerland in the group stage with a 3:0 score was nowhere to be seen.
Spalletti's Changes Backfire
Italy failed to make it to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2004 in an EURO tournament and reached another low point after missing the World Cups in 2018 and 2022. Switzerland impressed once again, as they did in the 1:1 against the German team in the group stage, and qualified for the second consecutive EURO quarterfinal. Murat Yakin's team earned the win in front of FIFA President Gianni Infantino and UEFA Chief Aleksander Ceferin with a focused performance.
Spalletti changed his system and made numerous substitutions after the disappointing 1:1 against Croatia, citing the hope for more offensive prowess. However, his moves did not pay off - quite the opposite.
Donnarumma Prevents Worse
Misplaced passes, misunderstandings, and excessive ball losses characterized Italy's offensive play, and a cohesive build-up rarely occurred. Switzerland dominated the game but failed to capitalize on Italy's defensive vulnerabilities sufficiently. Donnarumma saved a shot from Breel Embolo following a pass from Leverkusen's Granit Xhaka (24%). The captain was once again a reliable backup and encouraged his teammates with gestures.
Freuler came close to scoring again ten minutes later but couldn't prevent the deficit. Despite still almost 30 degrees in the summery Berlin, the Swiss retreated slightly after taking the lead but continued to have the significantly better opportunities. Donnarumma saved a free-kick from Fabian Rieder (45+1) right on the post. Spalletti stood helplessly at the sidelines with his hands in his pockets and followed the action apathetically.
Setback After the Break
The title defender delivered another completely disappointing performance at the 0:1 against Spain and the last-minute equalizer against Croatia in this EURO. The team was dangerous only in brief moments, such as a shot from Federico Chiesa (26%). In the first half, the Azzurri were clearly outperformed in all relevant statistics. Team manager Gianluigi Buffon shook his head in disbelief on the bench.
Spalleti changed, but nothing improved for Italy at first. Just 27 seconds after the restart, Vargas was barely attacked in front of the goal and shot beautifully from the penalty area into the right upper corner. The Swiss had to tense up momentarily only at a header from Fabian Schär on the post of their own goal (52.) and a shot from Gianluca Scamacca (74.). The Italians had more ball possession but were far from the equalizer.
- Despite the Debacle in the Round of sixteen against Switzerland, the European Football Championship in 2024 is still an exciting prospect for soccer fans across Europe.
- Augsburg's Remo Freuler scored the opening goal for Switzerland in their victory over Italy, a team managed by Luciano Spalletti.
- The Italian national soccer team, who had a triumphant run in EURO 2021, faced another setback in their game against Switzerland in Berlin.
- The Swiss team, led by manager Murat Yakin, qualified for the quarterfinals of EURO 2024 following their victory against Italy, their German group stage opponent.
- Slovakia and England will face off in the Round of sixteen, with the winner advancing to play Switzerland in Düsseldorf on July 6.
- Gianluigi Donnarumma, the Italian goalkeeper, had a commendable performance in the Round of sixteen match against Switzerland, preventing a worse outcome for his team.
- Switzerland's focused performance in the Round of sixteen against Italy earned them respect from UEFA Chief Aleksander Ceferin and FIFA President Gianni Infantino, in attendance at the game.
- The Italian team, back in Berlin 18 years after their World Cup victory, struggled to find their footing against the well-performing Swiss side, leading to their first loss to Switzerland since 1993.
- Switzerland's second goal in the Round of sixteen match against Italy was scored by Ruben Vargas, just 27 seconds into the second half, adding to the team's commanding lead.
- Following the Round of sixteen defeat, Italian football supporters expressed disappointment, reflecting on the team's inability to replicate their successful EURO 2021 performance in EURO 2024, a tournament set to be hosted in Germany.
