Switzerland-Italy is a match valid for the round of 16 of Euro 2024 and is played on Saturday at 6 p.m.: statistics, likely lineups, predictions, live TV and streaming.
After 18 years, Italy returns to Berlin’s Olympiastadion, a stadium that evokes sweet memories and harks back to their triumph in the 2006 World Cup won on penalties against France. This time facing the Azzurri are not the French but the Swiss bogeyman and up for grabs, instead of the World Cup, a pass to the quarterfinals at Euro 2024, against the winner of the challenge between England and Slovakia.
Zaccagni’s miraculous (and wonderful) goal scored in the last minute of recovery in the match with Croatia not only allowed the Luciano Spalletti-led national team to avoid defeat (1-1) and qualify for the round of 16 – by losing, Italy would not even be among the top 4 thirds, being eliminated from the European Championship – but also to end up in the “right” side of the table, as the strongest, with the exception of England, fell on the opposite sides (Germany, Spain, France, Portugal). However, a stroke of luck that Donnarumma and his teammates will have to prove they deserve after only partially convincing in the group stage. Italy went through as runners-up behind Spain, collecting four points. After a comeback success in the opener against Albania, the defending champions risked a setback against De La Fuente’s Roja – if the defeat came with only one goal to spare (1-0) it was thanks to Donnarumma’s saves – and in the match of truth with the Croatians, Spalletti’s men were too intermittent but above all once again inconsistent from the offensive point of view (dry of both Retegui and Scamacca).
Switzerland knows their stuff
The feeling is that against Switzerland the Azzurri will have to go up a level if they want to get right one of the most convincing teams of the first phase.
Were it not for German center forward Fullkrug’s goal in the recovery, Murat Yakin’s men would have won Group A, even finishing ahead of hosts Germany. The 1-1 draw with the Mannschaft is the second in a row after the one with Scotland on the second day, while on the opener the Helvetians had gotten the better of Hungary (3-1). Switzerland thus still unbeaten but struggling with a defense that has always conceded at least one goal (3 conceded and 5 scored). The Red Swiss, while not beating Italy since as far back as 1954, in 2022 made an instrumental contribution to the Azzurri’s failure to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar, winning the group and sending – despite two draws in direct clashes – the national team then coached by Mancini to play in the play-offs, later lost to North Macedonia.
The latest lineup news
Even against Italy, Yakin will reintroduce the three-man defense, formed by the experienced Schar, Akanji and Rodriguez, deputized to protect the goal defended by the interist Sommer. There is a lot of Bologna, then, from the midfield up: the red and blue Aebischer, Freuler and Ndoye should all three start from 1′ against Italy. On the other hand, former Udinese player Widmer, who is disqualified, will not be in the match: his place will probably be taken by young Stuttgart outfielder Stergiou. In attack, the Swiss coach is thinking of the trident formed not only by the very pliant Aebischer, but also by Embolo and Vargas.
The yellow he received against Croatia triggered the disqualification for Calafiori, undoubtedly one of Spalletti’s Italy’s best in the first three games, as well as the author of the decisive assist for Zaccagni. The Azzurri selector, at this point, will have to choose one between Mancini and Buongiorno to replace him. Much will depend on the coach’s decision to deploy the 3-man defense again (likely) or return to 4 at the back. In the middle, the pair formed by Jorginho and Barella could reassemble, with Di Lorenzo and Dimarco on the outsides. On the three-quarter who is certain of a place is Chiesa, while Pellegrini will have to contend with the restless Frattesi and Zaccagni. Up front, the ballot between Scamacca and Retegui is renewed, with the Atalantino expected to win this time.
The prediction
Switzerland, thanks to its proven game and tactical organization, has proven to be a tough opponent for anyone, even for those selections that are qualitatively superior. Italy, on the contrary, looks a bit like an open yard, not having assimilated all the ideas of its technical commissioner. And as a result, the game tends to be lacking or not always effective. However, the Azzurri on their side have the greater experience and remain, in our opinion, slight favorites for qualification. As in the last six previous matches – five draws and one victory for Italy, which happened to be in the last European Championship – great balance is to be expected. It cannot be ruled out that regulation time will end in a draw.
Share comparison
The draw is quoted at 2.95 on Goldbet and Lottomatica and at 2.85 on Snai. In contrast, the “Goal” sign is quoted at 2.05 on Goldbet, Lottomatica and Snai.
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The probable lineups of Switzerland-Italy
SWITZERLAND (3-4-3): Sommer; Schär, Akanji, Rodriguez; Ndoye, Xhaka, Freuler, Stergiou; Aebischer, Embolo, Vargas.
ITALY (3-4-2-1): Donnarumma; Darmian, Mancini, Bastoni; Di Lorenzo, Barella, Jorginho, Dimarco; Chiesa, Frattesi; Scamacca.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-1
