At the end of the first 1/8 final of the European Cup, the defending champion Italy faced the old rival Switzerland, and was beaten by the opponent in the whole game, Freuler and Vargas scored one goal each in the second half, and the Swiss team beat Italy 2:0. Italy's starting line-up sparked controversy, and Spalletti made major changes to the starting line-up for the group stage, with Shaarawy, Faggioli and Cristante, who had not started in the previous two group games, starting the game, which led to a complete loss of control on the pitch and the defending champions were eliminated in the quarter-finals.
The Italian team won 1 win, 1 draw and 1 loss in 3 group games, and qualified for the second place in the group, and the overall performance was unsatisfactory, so Spalletti began to rejuvenate this game and made major changes to the team's midfield lineup. Italy started with goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, defenders Darmian, Bastoni, Gian Lucamancini and Di Lorenzo, midfielders Barella, Faggioli and Cristante, and forwards El Shaarawy, Scamacca and Junior Chiesa.
Donnarumma, Bastoni and Di Lorenzo all started in the group stage at the back, with Gianluca Mancini coming in for the suspended Calafioli and Darmian coming in for the injured Dimarco, and there were no major problems at the back. In the midfield trio, Faggioli and Cristante replaced Jorginho and Frattesi, of which Faggioli only returned from suspension before the European Championship and has not played a few competitive games this season.
Without Jorginho and Frattesi, Italy's midfielders have neither the ability to control the ball nor the ability to intercept, and there is also a lack of Frattesi's sudden forward, and the loss of control in the midfield has become the biggest reason for Italy's final loss. El Shaarawy's start on the forward line was even more unexpected by everyone, the former Chinese Super League player was almost disconnected from the whole team on the field, completely unaware of what to play, and was substituted at the end of the first half.
Compared with the Italian team, the starting line-up of the Swiss team is much more reasonable, goalkeeper Sommer, defenders Scher, Akanji and Rodriguez, midfielders Ndoye, Freuler, Xhaka and Ebecher, in front of Reid, Vargas and Embolo, compared to the group stage, only 1-2 positions have been adjusted, one of which is due to the suspension of Widmer.
Soon after the opening, the Swiss team launched a fierce attack on the Italian goal, but the Italian team withstood the opponent's three-plate axe and kept the goal in the first 30 minutes. However, the Italian midfield was completely out of control and almost pressed by the Swiss team, and the players were exhausted, and it was only a matter of time before they conceded a goal. In the 37th minute, the Swiss team transferred a long diagonal pass to Vargas, Vargas passed the ball into the penalty area, Freuler slapped the horse and shot into the net, and the Swiss team led Italy 1:0. After conceding the goal, the Italian team still did not organize a decent attack, but in first-half stoppage time, Reid's direct free-kick almost broke the Italian goal again, but it was saved by Donnarumma. Switzerland led Italy 1-0 in the first half!
After the start of the second half, Spalletti made substitution adjustments, Zaccagni replaced Shaarawy, 30 seconds into the opening game, Ebeccher passed the ball to Vargas, Vargas suddenly shot in the corner of the penalty area, Donnarumma made a save, Switzerland led Italy 2:0! The Italian team, which was two goals behind, began to counterattack aggressively, and Spalletti replaced Retegui, Pellegrini and Cambiaso Jr., and replaced Barella, Darmian and Cristante, intending to give it a go.
In the last 30 minutes, although the Italian team pressed the whole field, it did not pose much threat to the Swiss goal. Switzerland's Schell headed over the post when he cleared the ball and it was Italy's best chance to score. In the closing stages, Frattesi came on in place of Faggioli and the Italians used up five substitutions but were unable to find the Swiss goal.
In the end, the Italian team lost 0:2 to the Swiss team, and the defending champion was eliminated in the 1/8 finals. Although the strength of the Italian team is not what it used to be, but it is so prematurely out of the game, coach Spalletti is to blame!
Note: The picture comes from the Internet.