Soccer - Improvement needed: Italy wants a European Championship revenge at the place of longing
For a mood lifter before the knockout-stage showdown against Switzerland, Luciano Spalletti resorted to unusual measures. The Italian national coach unexpectedly opened the training session in Iserlohn for the fans - and showed himself in good spirits. He took a little boy, who had managed to sneak 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 (6:00 PM/RTL/Magenta TV) in Berlin.
The goal is title defense and European Championship final in Berlin - at that longed-for location where the Azzurri became World Champions in 2006. Team manager Gianluigi Buffon, who stood in the Azzurri goal at the time, told the team about it, said Spalletti. "He awakened the memories in us," said the 65-year-old. "Now we have to live up to it, which is a big responsibility."
The team is already returning to the Olympiastadion a little earlier for the first knockout round game and will face many familiar faces. Six players from the Swiss coach Murat Yakin's squad play in the Serie A.
The teams have met 61 times before, including at the European Championship 2021, when Italy won 3:0 in Rome. The Azzurri also have an open account, as two draws against Switzerland cost them a spot in the World Cup 2022. Midfielder Jorginho, who is also a starter at this tournament, missed two penalties then. What the sports newspaper "Corriere dello Sport" took as an occasion for worrying speculation about a possible penalty shootout, Jorginho confirmed.
"Switzerland is functioning well," said Yakin. "There's a different expectation pressure 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, in which 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. "The advancement was deserved and we're enjoying it now," he said. "And then we'll try to improve."
After the controversial departure of European Championship 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 go smoothly.
In the duel with the Swiss, Spalletti must once again reorganize his team. Besides Calafiori, Federico Dimarco is also missing in defense due to an injury. The participation of interior defender Alessandro Bastoni, who had a fever recently, is highly uncertain.
However, changes are also expected in offense. "Perhaps the weight of expectations sometimes holds us back. We don't have that experience," said Spalletti.
The simpler half of the tournament?
Both teams have already established one thing: The opportunity for a march to Berlin could be advantageous. The favorites Germany, Spain, France, and Portugal are all playing in the other half of the tournament further on.
"Absolutely, our half of the tournament is simpler than the other. But every game is difficult," said Italy's Alessandro Buongiorno. Aebischer warned: "It brings nothing to look at who might come in the quarterfinals or semifinals. We first need to win the game on Saturday."
- Jorginho acknowledged the pressure of potential penalty shootouts following Italy's experiences with Switzerland at the World Cup 2022 qualifiers.
- Luciano Spalletti expressed his hopes that his team could live up to the legacy of becoming World Champions in Berlin at the 2006 UEFA European Championship.
- The Italian national team will face Switzerland in the Round of sixteen of EURO 2021, with six Swiss players currently playing in Serie A.
- Midfielder Jorginho, who missed two penalties against Switzerland in the World Cup 2022 qualifiers, is a key starter for Italy in this tournament.
- The Italian coach, Murat Yakin, spoke highly of Switzerland's performance, emphasizing their ability to handle the increased pressure in the knockout phase.
- Luciano Spalletti acknowledged the Italian team's need for improvement after criticisms following their last group game in the UEFA European Championship 2021.
- The Swiss coach, Murat Yakin, urged his team to focus on the upcoming game against Italy rather than speculating on potential opponents in later stages of the tournament.
- The Italian defender, Alessandro Bastoni, is dealing with a fever, raising doubts about his availability for the Round of sixteen match against Switzerland.
- Following the departure of Roberto Mancini, Luciano Spalletti had only ten months to implement his strategy with the Italian team, but he remains hopeful that this period could prove beneficial.
