EM 2024 - Switzerland knocks out reigning European champions Italy
Title defender is out: A completely underperforming Italy deservedly lost to strong-playing Swiss in the EURO-16th round with a score of 0:2 (0:1) in front of 68,172 spectators in Berlin. The selection of trainer Luciano Spalletti had good fortune not to lose by a greater margin.
Joy over Berlin return tarnished
Remo Freuler (37. minute) and Ruben Vargas from Augsburg decided the game for the German group stage opponent. Switzerland will face the winner of the England-Slovakia match in the quarterfinals on July 6 in Düsseldorf.
Eighteen years after the World Cup triumph in 2006, the Italians returned to Berlin full of anticipation – and experienced a huge disappointment. The Azzurri were inferior in all respects and deservedly suffered the first loss against Switzerland since 31 years. There was nothing left of the exciting football with which Italy won the EURO 2021 and defeated Switzerland in the group stage with a score of 3:0.
Next low point for Italy
Italy failed to make it to the round of the best eight teams for the first time since 2004 at the EURO and experienced another low point after missing the World Cups in 2018 and 2022. Switzerland convinced once again, as in the 1:1 against the DFB team in the group stage, and reached the EURO quarterfinals for the second time in a row.
Mistakes, misunderstandings, and too quick ball losses characterized the offensive play of the Azzurri, a well-structured game setup hardly came about. Switzerland dominated the game, but used the helplessness of the low-lying Italians far too little. A shot from Breel Embolo after a pass from Leverkusen's Granit Xhaka was parried strongly by Captain Gianluigi Donnarumma (24%). The keeper was, as in the course of the tournament, the best player.
- Despite Italy's disappointing performance, the Swiss team, led by Luciano Spalletti's counterpart, Remo Freuler, and Ruben Vargas from Augsburg, managed to secure a victory in the group stage against the former European champions, ensuring a spot in the EURO-16th round.
- Switzerland's successful performance against Italy sets them up nicely for their quarterfinal match against the winner of the England-Slovakia contest, scheduled to take place in Düsseldorf on July 6.
- In contrast to their EURO 2021 group stage victory over Switzerland, where they triumphed 3-0, Italy found themselves struggling against their European rivals in the latter stages of this year's tournament, ultimately losing 0-2 to Switzerland in Berlin.
- Having already missed out on World Cup appearances in 2018 and 2022, Italy's early exit from the EURO tournament marks another disappointing low point in their international football history, as they failed to make it to the round of the best eight teams for the first time since 2004.
- With Switzerland dominating the game against the Italian side, they were unable to fully capitalize on Italy's apparent struggles, as mistakes, misunderstandings, and quick ball losses characterised the Azzurri's offense, leaving Gianluigi Donnarumma as the only bright spot amid an otherwise dismal tournament performance for the Italian team.
