In another crucial fixture between the sides, Switzerland face holders Italy in the first last-16 game of Euro 2024 in Berlin. The winning side will either face England or Slovakia in the quarterfinal stage.
SWI vs ITA Match Details
Date: Saturday, 29 June 2024
Time: 18:00 (CET), 21:30 (IST)
Venue: Olympiastadion, Berlin
SWI vs ITA Match Preview
Switzerland narrowly missed out on winning Group A after they conceded from a stoppage-time equalizer against hosts Germany to end it 1-1 in the final group game. Die Nati secured four points from opening two games and was on cloud nine when Dan Ndoye put them ahead in the 28th minute but the win did not arrive. Murat Yakin's side finished second by staying unbeaten in the group stage, losing just once in their last 17 games, although that leads them to a battle against a top side like the holders Italy in the last-16. Switzerland evaded the Round of 16 stages only once in seven attempts, Euros and World Cup combined, which came in the previous finals against France. Even then, the success came through penalties and not from open play where the Swiss had to battle from 3-1 behind to make it 3-3 in normal time. Also, the side has not beaten the Azzurri this century but has lost only once in the last six meetings. That defeat came in Euro 2020 when they were beaten 3-0 in the group game, a repeat of which will be harsh on their promising campaign so far.
While Switzerland mostly had it easy in their group to make it to the knockouts, Italy maneuvered through a tough ‘group of death’ keeping their title defence alive with a last-gasp strike in the final group game. Having made a comeback win over Albania in their tournament opener and then suffering a narrow loss to Spain, the holders needed a draw against Croatia to make it to the next round. Going down early in the second half through Luka Modric, right after his penalty was saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma, the Azzurri desperately needed a response to prevent elimination. Substitute Mattia Zaccagni provided that with a stunner at the death to clinch the second spot in their group. Luciano Spalletti's side will now face the challenge of the Swiss in the last-16 stage boasting a superior record but need to be reminded of the draws played against the side in the World Cup qualifiers which ultimately cost them their place in that tournament. Italy has reached the quarterfinals on each occasion since Euro 2004 and will want to carry on the streak on Saturday.
Recent Form (all competitions)
SWI: WDWDD
ITA: DWWLD
Recent Form (Euro 2024)
SWI: WDD
ITA: WLD
SWI vs ITA Predicted Lineups
Switzerland
Sommer; Schar, Akanji, Rodriguez; Stergiou, Xhaka, Freuler, Aebischer; Ndoye, Vargas; Embolo
Italy
Donnarumma; Darmian, Bastoni, Califiori; Di Lorenzo, Barella, Jorginho, Pellegrini, Dimarco; Chiesa, Scamacca
SWI vs ITA Head-to-head
Played - 60
SWI won - 7
Drawn - 24
ITA won - 29
For more in depth stats, check Switzerland vs Italy Head-to-Head and Memorable Meetings
SWI vs ITA Dream11 Match Prediction
Switzerland and Italy are struggling with a lethal number nine but both have been solid in defence. We expect a 1-1 draw between the pair with the Azzurri edging out on penalties.
SWI vs ITA Dream11 Top picks
Captain Pick: Nicolo Barella
Vice-captain Pick: Granit Xhaka
SWI vs ITA Dream11 Team Suggestion
GK: Donnarumma (Cr - 7.5)
DEF: Di Lorenzo (Cr - 8.5), Schar (Cr - 8.5), Calafiori (8), Bastoni (Cr - 8)
MID: Ndoye (7.5), Barella (9), Jorginho (8), Xhaka (Cr - 8), Aebischer (Cr - 8.5)
FW: Chiesa (8.5)
Vice-captain: Granit Xhaka
Captain: Nicolo Barella
