Swiss proved they can dominate big teams at Euro 2024: Coach Murat Yakin

BERLIN – Switzerland coach Murat Yakin was thrilled with his team’s deserved 2-0 win over reigning champions Italy at Euro 2024 on June 29, saying it was proof they “can go toe-to-toe” with Europe’s heavyweights.

They reached the quarter-finals for the second time in their history, with goals from Remo Freuler and Ruben Vargas capping an impressive performance at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.

“There are only good sides at the Euro. We went unbeaten in the group stage and played well, and the Germany game showed we can go toe-to-toe with teams like that,” said Yakin.

“We sent out an important signal tonight with the game we played. We did not only defended as a unit and sat back, we showed we could attack and dominate proceedings.”

Vargas added: “We caused problems for Italy because we were very aggressive, right from the word go. We had the better of every 50-50, we didn’t give them any time to breathe, we were constantly breathing down their necks.”

Italy made six changes for the game, but it was the settled and confident Switzerland side who came out deservedly on top, proving as reliable as a Swiss watch at this tournament.

Swiss fans celebrated jubilantly with the players after their first win over Italy since 1993. It was only Switzerland’s ninth win over the Italians in 62 attempts.

“It really sends a tingle down your spine, gives you goosebumps, it’s hugely gratifying,” continued Yakin.

“All this support shows we’re on the right track and doing things the right way. We’ve earned the right to be here but we’re not done yet.”

Fabian Rieder added: “The spirit is incredible; everyone is happy, everyone runs for the other one, and I think we showed that on the pitch.”

Vargas set up the first goal for Freuler and then curled home a sumptuous second himself, having been picked only due to Silvan Widmer being suspended, but played on the opposite flank.

Yakin joked he would “take an aspirin” to resolve any selection headache for the quarter-finals, against either England or Slovakia. The result of that last-16 tie was not available at press time.

While the Swiss are in the knockout stages of their sixth successive major tournament, the Azzurri head home after exiting before the quarter-final stage of the European Championship for the first time in 20 years.

On Italy’s national broadcaster RAI, the verdict was swift and brutal: “Unacceptable”, “slow and predictable”, said disconsolate commentators.

Captain Gianluigi Donnarumma was Italy’s only real bright spot at what was otherwise a miserable tournament and he was visibly upset at the nature of the four-time world champions’ elimination.

“It hurts, it really hurts. We can only say sorry to everyone. We were disappointing today and they deserved to win,” said Donnarumma. “It’s difficult to digest but that’s how it went, we can’t do anything about it.”

Coach Luciano Spalletti lamented to RAI how Vargas’ goal “took our legs out from under us” and said that his players did not come into the tournament in the right physical condition to compete.

While the Italian media are already questioning Spalletti’s position after less than a year in charge, the country’s football chief said on June 30 that he will stay on.

“I’m pragmatic, it’s impossible to resolve problems by abandoning a long-term project or by abandoning the coach and players who have accompanied us in this project,” said Gabriele Gravina, head of Italy’s football federation.

“Spalletti has our faith, he has to have our faith. He needs to get to work, as in 60 days the Nations League begins. We can’t imagine that a (Kylian) Mbappe or Cristiano Ronaldo will suddenly come onto the scene, so we need to be patient.” REUTERS, AFP