Round of 16 against Switzerland - Improvement needed: Italy wants a European Championship revenge at the place of longing
For a mood lifter before the Knockout-Showdown against Switzerland, Luciano Spalletti resorted to unusual measures. Italy's National Coach unexpectedly opened the training in Iserlohn for the fans - and showed himself in good spirits. He took a small boy, who had managed to get past the security guards onto the field, in his arms with a smile.
The outburst of the trainer after the 1:1 against Croatia and the jitters about advancing were put aside. "We have a goal in mind," said Spalletti before the game on Saturday (18.00 Uhr/RTL/Magenta TV) in Berlin.
The goal is title defense and EURO Final in Berlin - at that longed-for location where the Azzurri became World Champions in 2006. The team is already returning to the Olympiastadion a little earlier for the first game of the knockout round and will meet many familiar faces. Six players from Yakin's Swiss squad play in the Serie A.
The teams have met 61 times before, including at EURO 2021, when Italy won 3:0 in Rome. The Azzurri still have an outstanding debt, as two draws against Switzerland cost them a spot in the WM 2022. Midfielder Jorginho, who is also a starter at this tournament, missed two penalties during that match. What the sports newspaper "Corriere dello Sport" took as an occasion for alarming speculation about a possible penalty shootout.
"Switzerland is functioning well," said Yakin. "Italy is the favorite. The anticipation is already extremely great," said Swiss player Michel Aebischer, who plays for Bologna. However, Italy will be missing its best player according to TV expert Christoph Kramer: Aebischer's teammate from Bologna, defender Riccardo Calafiori, is suspended after receiving two yellow cards. "I feel sorry for him, he's a very strong player. That's good for us, that he can't play," said Aebischer.
Whether the favorites' roles are as clear-cut as Aebischer portrays them is questionable. Since the 2014 World Cup, the Swiss have reached the knockout phase at every major tournament. In the previous EURO, they shocked the then reigning World Champions France and reached the quarterfinals for the first time.
In the group stage at this EURO, the Swiss impressed above all with their 1:1 against Germany. "Things are going well for us so far," said Yakin. "There's a different expectation level in the knockout phase, but we have enough quality and experience."
Italy's "burden of expectations"
Italy needs a clear performance improvement compared to the last group game, where only a goal from Mattia Zaccagni in the last minute secured advancement. In the land of the four-time World Champions, there was much criticism of the lineup, performance, and demeanor of the team - which Spalletti countered with an angry retort. "We deserved to advance and we're enjoying it now," he said. "And then we'll try to improve."
After the controversial departure of European Champion Coach Roberto Mancini, Spalletti had only ten months to convey his ideas to the team. This could now pay off. Against Croatia, the 65-year-old changed his system, but much didn't run smoothly.
In the encounter with the Swiss, Spalletti's team will have to be rebuilt again, especially in offense. "Perhaps the burden of expectations sometimes holds us back. We don't have that experience," said the 65-year-old.
The easier half of the tournament?
"Both teams have noticed one thing though: The opportunity for a march to Berlin could be advantageous. The favorites Germany, Spain, France, and Portugal are all playing in the other bracket.
"Our group is absolutely simpler than the other. But every game is difficult", said Italy's Alessandro Buongiorno. Aebischer cautioned: "It brings nothing to watch who could come to the quarterfinals or semifinals. We first need to win the game on Saturday."
Saturday is the seventh day of the week, so the correct translation would be: "...we first need to win the game on Saturday."
- The training session in Iserlohn before the Round of sixteen match against Switzerland was opened to fans, with Luciano Spalletti even welcoming a small boy onto the field.
- The goal for Italy at the EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP 2021 is title defense and reaching the EURO Final in Berlin, a place of longing for the team since they became World Champions there in 2006.
- The team will face many familiar faces in the Olympiastadion, as six players from Murat Yakin's Swiss squad play in the Serie A.
- In the previous EURO, Switzerland shocked the then reigning World Champions France and reached the quarterfinals for the first time.
- Against Croatia, Luciano Spalletti changed his system, but many things didn't run smoothly.
- Switzerland is playing well in the tournament, according to their coach, and Italy is the favorite, as mentioned by Swiss player Michel Aebischer.
- In the encounter with the Swiss, Italy will have to rebuild their offense, as their best player, Riccardo Calafiori, is suspended.
- The easier half of the tournament is perceived by both teams, as the favorites Germany, Spain, France, and Portugal are all playing in the other bracket.
- The Round of sixteen match against Switzerland will be broadcast on RTL, with the game starting at 6 PM local time in Germany.
