Switzerland-Italy is a match valid for the group stage of the European Under-21 Championship 2023 and is played on Sunday at 18:00: news, formations and predictions.
How is it possible that in an event as important as the final phase of the European Under-21 Championship there is neither Goal Line Technology nor Var?
A question that many will have asked themselves last Thursday at the end of the match between Italy and France, valid for the first day of Group D. At the expense of the inexplicable absence of technology were the Azzurrini, who were not awarded a penalty for a touch of hand by the Milan player Kalulu, but above all did not validate one of the most classic ghost goals that would have allowed the selection led by Paolo Nicolato to at least snatch a draw against one of the most serious candidates for the final victory. A return to the ‘footballing Middle Ages’, in short. The fact is that Italy were left empty-handed and now they will have practically no other result at their disposal against a Switzerland fresh from their success against Norway (1-2). The Azzurrini didn’t play a great game – they wasted a lot – but France didn’t particularly shine either: it’s not wrong to say that a draw would have been the fairest result after all.
The Azzurri have their backs to the wall
So Pellegri’s goal was not enough, having replied to Kalimuendo’s goal midway through the first half: the decisive goal came from the young Lyon talent Barcola at the start of the second half, who took advantage of a mistake by former Udinese player Udogie.
Switzerland
Italy will try to turn the page and vent frustration against a Switzerland that has done nothing but confirm the good sensations of the eve: the Helvetians are within reach but cannot be taken under consideration, especially after the proof of character against Norway, overturned in the second half by the goals of Ndoye and Imeri. The two selections have not met at Under-21 level since 2002, when the match ended 0-0 in Basel. Out of 13 head-to-heads, Italy has only lost once. Nicolato could make some changes from a tactical point of view, switching from his favoured 3-5-2 to a more offensive 4-3-3: with the four-man defence and the trident the best things were seen in the match against France. Should he instead start with the same module, there will be no significant changes: the only one risking his place is Cambiaghi, in a duel with Gnonto. It could be his turn to flank Pellegri in attack.
The prediction
Italy have shown they can hold their own against a battleship like France. And it only failed to avoid defeat because of a questionable refereeing, to say the least. Switzerland is a growing national team, also at youth level, and against the Azzurrini they could also play for a draw after winning the first match. Nicolato’s men, on the other hand, will have to start off strong and impose their own rhythm: the victory should come, but it is not to be excluded that Switzerland will score at least one goal against a defence that has remained untouched on only one occasion in the last eight outings between official matches and friendlies.
The official lineups for Switzerland-Italy
- SWISS U21 (4-4-2): Saipi; Blum, Stergiou, Burch, Omeragic; Imeri, Sohm, Jashari, Ndoye; Rieder, Stojilković.
- ITALIA U21 (3-5-2): Carnesecchi; Okoli, Pirola, Scalvini; Bellanova, Ricci, Rovella, Tonali, Udogie; Pellegri, Gnonto.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-2
