Switzerland knocks out a grotesque Italy

The versatile, dynamic and eclectic Switzerland led by Murat Yakin beat the worst Italy in memory to become the first team to qualify for the quarterfinals, where they will face the winner of the duel between England and Slovakia in Gelsenkirchen this Sunday. Huge credit for ‘Nati, who equals his best performance in a Euro Cup. It is no coincidence that they closed the first phase undefeated, not the leader because a goal from the German Füllkrug ‘in extremis’ prevented it. Along with France, it is the only country that since 2014 has always reached the qualifying rounds in major events.

The performance of the ‘Nazionale’ in this tournament explains why the title won three years ago at Wembley, against England and on penalties, was an anomaly. There is a reason why they did not qualify for the last two World Cups, an unprecedented event in a country with the tradition of Italy. Of course, any time in the past was better for the ‘Azurra’, today a chaotic group, without totems, without defence, without forwards and even without that competitive character and pride that always adorned them.

Luciano Spalletti, the change technician, is very touched. He has been in office for less than a year and his project is long-term, but explaining what happened is very complicated. He does not have differential players, that is undoubtedly, but his bet does not correspond to that of a coach who came to office supported by a more modern and brave style in Naples. The constant changes of players and his system do not help to consolidate an idea either.

As against Spain

The present clearly prevailed over tradition at the Berlin Olympic Stadium, a historic coliseum that until this disaster was a fetish for Italy. Here they beat Zidane’s France on penalties in the 2026 World Cup final and also beat Austria (2-1) in the 1936 Olympic final. Against the Swiss, Italy was a farce, just as it was against ‘La Roja’.

The boos with which a part of the ‘azzurra’ fans already dismissed their players after the first act defines the ghostly performance of the champion. Despite the miraculous tie sealed by Zaccagni in the 98th minute to knock off Croatia, Spalletti ended up so upset by the performance of his men in that match that he plotted a revolution against Switzerland. Even more disaster.

No less than six changes of players and also of drawing, with four in the background. He was especially surprised to see the tough Cristante no longer as a defensive pivot but as an interior, since the midfielder was the Juventino Fagioli. And also El Shaarawy on the left profile of the attack. The player with the Egyptian surname, who returned to Rome after his Chinese adventure, is not a boot-twist, but he does not respond to the profile of the young team that Spalletti craves.

The Swiss showed great superiority in the first period. More organized, more ambitious and much better with the ball. With five starting players who play in Serie A, they came out without any complexes, wanting to get revenge for the 3-0 defeat to the ‘Nazionale’ in the group stage of the last European Championship. However, it did not prevent them from reaching the quarterfinals, where they were defeated by Luis Enrique’s Spain on penalties.

It was a slow, tight duel, with the Polish Marciniak letting too much play, but always with Swiss dominance on all lines. Switzerland is a very interesting team, with offensive wingers, an experienced midfield with good finishers like Granit Xhaka and Freuler, and a dangerous team up front. Embolo is a nuisance and Rubén Vargas, whose father is Dominican, showed that Di Lorenzo is not, by any means, the player who stood out in Naples. It is as if the Augsburg attacker had studied the video in which Nico Williams destroyed this side.

Sommer was very calm in his area and Donnaruma was once again Italy’s best player. He prevented the first by deflecting a shot from Embolo, but Switzerland did not miss the second clear chance. Vargas put the ball into the heart of the area and the undetectable Freuler had time to control it with his right foot and shoot with his right foot. A tremendous mismatch for Italy.

The game resumed with hero Zaccagni replacing the ineffective El Shaarawy. But before the Italians could reposition themselves, Vargas punished them again. He entered the area as if it were his home and put it in the top corner. Only when everything was lost and the Swiss took the typical and risky step back, did Italy stretch, even if it was desperate. They could get into the game after a strange move that ended with Schär hitting his own post and also with a shot from Scamacca, very angled, that also deflected off the woodwork. Spalletti’s team ended up with four forwards, but not even then. After 31 years of misfortune, Switzerland beat one of its neighbours again. A sad end to the journey for an unbeatable champion. Spain will keep the record of being the only team capable of winning two editions in a row.