Familiarity, but no fear, for Switzerland against Italy

BERLIN – Familiar opponents Italy and Switzerland meet in the last 16 of Euro 2024 in Berlin on June 29 and, while the Azzurri should be favourites, there is no fear from the Swiss in facing a country many of their players call home.

Italians and Swiss have long had close ties, sharing a border and Italian is one of the official languages of Switzerland, but that will all be forgotten at the Olympiastadion.

The two sides have met 61 times, the most common opponents for each country. The Swiss have won only eight times, most recently in 1993, but they have impressed more so far in Germany.

Murat Yakin’s men came close to topping Group A before conceding a stoppage-time equaliser in the final game against hosts Germany, and the 1-1 draw was a performance which showed they have no fear of anyone at this tournament.

Italy needed the last kick of the game to snatch a 1-1 draw with Croatia to progress, and the defending champions have failed to shine, unlike at Euro 2020 where they eased through the group stage and beat the Swiss comfortably.

“Switzerland are a tough team,” said former goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, Italy’s delegation chief.

“They’re really very difficult to beat. They are one of those teams where if you play a 7/10 or 7.5/10, you win. If you play a 6.5/10, you draw. If you play a 6/10 or below, you lose.”

In other words, the Italians will need to be very good to beat Switzerland.

“Italy have no secrets for Switzerland because they have several players in Serie A and we played them several times in the last few years. But it will be a new opportunity to take them on. And, hopefully, it will go the way we Italians hope it will go,” the 46-year-old added.

Mattia Zaccagni, who scored the 98th-minute goal against Croatia, also warned his side to be wary of the Swiss players who may know Italian football too well.

“Switzerland are a tough team, a well-prepared team. They have many experienced players, who also play in our league. We know that we will have to play a great game to put them in difficulty and get to the quarter-finals,” said the Lazio midfielder.

Bologna were a team who took Serie A by storm last season, finishing fifth in the standings to secure Champions League football and there could be as many as three Bologna players on the pitch in Berlin, all on the Swiss side.

Unfortunately for Italy, coach Luciano Spalletti will not have Riccardo Calafiori available, with the Bologna defender suspended and unable to face his Swiss clubmates.

Midfielder Michel Aebischer scored in Switzerland’s 3-1 opening win over Hungary, forward Dan Ndoye put them in front against Germany and Remo Freuler completes the Swiss Bologna trio.

“I’m sorry for Riccardo, really. I would have liked to have faced him at the Olympiastadion. On Saturday, however, the challenge will be Switzerland against Italy,” Freuler said.

He was on loan at Bologna from Nottingham Forest last season but, before that, Freuler spent six years at Atalanta, and this will be no ordinary game for the 32-year-old midfielder.

“Of course, it’s not a match like any other for me... because in Italy I built my career, also finding an ideal country to spend my life with my family,” he said.

“But, on Saturday, there won’t be all this love. It’s a round-of-16 match and there will be no room for feelings. I’m not afraid. And Switzerland are not afraid of Italy.”

Switzerland coach Yakin, meanwhile, is relishing a “big challenge”.

“Italy have some great players. But we’re staying focused on ourselves, and also need to make sure we’re prepared for the strengths and weaknesses that Italy have,” he said.

“What makes them dangerous is that they can play in a number of different ways. But, they will also be worried about us. We are a tight-knit unit, we have full faith in our abilities. We’re in good form, are unpredictable and will try to come out on top in this game.” REUTERS