After three rounds of hard fighting, the 2024 German European Championship group stage has come to an end, the top 16 have all been produced, the team that entered the knockout round, after a few days of rest, ushered in the 1/8 final competition, this match day, the defending champion Italy took the lead on the stage, facing the second Swiss team in Group A, both teams are defensive counterattack play, which also makes the probability of a tie in regular time very large, before the game, Swiss coach Yakin also admitted that the team is ready for the penalty shootout, Whether the Blue Coats, who performed mediocre in the group stage, can successfully pass the test and keep the hope of defending the title has become the biggest highlight of this battle! However, after the official start of the game, the Swiss team, which had not defeated Italy for 31 years, directly crushed the Blue Coats on the offensive end, and finally relied on Vargas's passing to make a contribution, 2-0 to the end, and took the lead in breaking into the quarterfinals of the European Cup!
In this game, Spalletti followed his favorite 4-3-3 formation, the main goalkeeper is Donnarumma, who performed well in the group stage, Di Lorenzo and Darmian on the backline, Mancini and Bastoni partnered with two central defenders, the midfielders Cristante, Faggioli and Barella lined up, the forward trident Scamacca in the middle, Chiesa Jr. and Shaarawy on both sides, and the Swiss side also played with the main force, Sommer, Akanji, Xhaka and Schal started together.
After the start of the game, the Swiss team, which was not favored before the game, directly suppressed the defending champions on the field, and launched a tidal attack towards the goal guarded by Donnarumma, and in the 24th minute they created an excellent opportunity to score, Embolo successfully countered offside and got a single chance, but Donnarumma was in a brave state and defused the Swiss team's attack with a divine save.
Italy, who escaped the catastrophe, quickly completed their only threatening attack in the first half, Chiesa Jr. dribbled into the penalty area on the left side, completed a shot, but unfortunately was blocked by the defender, in the 37th minute, the Swiss team's onslaught, finally paid off, Vargas crossed from the left, Freuler took a trip, and then volleyed the goal, helping the Swiss team to take a 1-0 lead.
Before half-time, Switzerland had a well-placed free-kick on the right side of the pitch, Reid hit the ball straight into the near corner, Donnarumma pounced, the ball hit the post and went off the line, thanks to the favor of Lady Luck, Italy lost 1-0 and returned to the dressing room.
At the beginning of the second half, Italy made a direct mistake in the middle circle, and after the Swiss team made a steal, they formed a counterattack in an instant, and Vargas made a world wave with his right foot on the left side of the penalty area, although Donnarumma had done his best to make a save, but could not prevent the ball from going into the net, and the Swiss team extended its lead to 2 goals.
Italy, which was cornered, changed the rhythm of procrastination before, began to take the initiative to speed up, in the 52nd minute their attack almost caused the Swiss team's own goal, fortunately, Schal's header hit their own post, shocked the Swiss fans in a cold sweat, although Italy's offensive quality has improved significantly in the following time, but the Swiss team withstood their impact and maintained the score of 2-0 to the end.
After breaking the curse of 31 years without winning against Italy, the Swiss team broke into the quarterfinals of this European Championship with their heads held high, and their opponents in the next round will be the winner between the Three Lions England and Slovenia.