Italy Face Switzerland in Euro 2024 Last 16 After Narrow Group Stage Escape

Italy, the reigning European champions, will face Switzerland in the last 16 of Euro 2024 on Saturday, having narrowly qualified from the group stage. The Azzurri secured second place in Group B with a dramatic 98th-minute equalizer from Mattia Zaccagni against Croatia, finishing five points behind Spain.

Coach Luciano Spalletti expressed mixed emotions after the group stage, praising his team's progress while criticizing their timid performance in the final game. He also lashed out at media pressure, potentially attempting to deflect attention from his inability to ignite the team's full potential.

Despite Spalletti's claims of improvement, Italy's performance has been unconvincing, lacking the flair and dominance of the side that triumphed at Euro 2020. Key players from that tournament, such as Manuel Locatelli, Ciro Immobile, and Marco Verratti, have been omitted from the squad, while veterans Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini have retired.

Lazio forward Zaccagni, who scored the crucial equalizer against Croatia, remains optimistic about Italy's chances in the knockout rounds. "We're focused on preparing for a very important match against Switzerland," he said. "We know we can suffer at times, but we always come out strong when it matters."

Switzerland, led by Murat Yakin, boasts several Serie A players, including Inter Milan goalkeeper Yann Sommer and Bologna trio Dan Ndoye, Remo Freuler, and Michel Aebischer. "Switzerland is a very compact team that plays for each other," added Zaccagni. "It will take a great performance to beat them."

Italy will be without the suspended Riccardo Calafiori, but Zaccagni is confident despite suffering a rib injury in the celebration of his late goal. Questions remain over Italy's best formation, with Spalletti experimenting with different shapes. Holding midfielder Jorginho has struggled in particular, while strikers Mateo Retegui and Gianluca Scamacca have failed to impress.

Switzerland, who also pipped Italy to qualification for the last World Cup, are no longer considered an easy opponent. They went through Group A unbeaten, holding Germany to a 1-1 draw in their final group game. That result may have been a blessing in disguise, as it placed Switzerland in the perceived easier half of the draw.

Switzerland proved at Euro 2020 that they can upset the odds, knocking out France on penalties in the last 16 before losing to Spain in the quarter-finals. That victory will give them confidence to try and equal their best ever finish in the tournament by reaching the last eight.

"We know how to win and lose in the round of 16," said Freuler. "We need an even better performance than in the group games. Saturday has to be our best performance in recent years."

The winner of the Italy-Switzerland clash will face England or Slovakia in the quarter-finals.

Tags: #Euro2024, #Italy, #Switzerland, #MattiaZaccagni, #LucianoSpalletti