“It is going to be very close” - Chris Sutton makes prediction for Switzerland vs Italy clash in Euro 2024 round of 16
Former England striker Chris Sutton has predicted the result of Italy's Euro 2024 Round of 16 clash with Switzerland in Berlin on Saturday (June 29). The defending champions finished second in Group B, while the Swiss did likewise in Group A.
The Azzurri started their title defence with a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Albania before losing 1-0 to Spain. They looked set to finish third in the group - trailing a Luka Modric second-half strike for Croatia.
However, Mattia Zaccagni scored a brilliant late equaliser to force a share of the spoils as Luciano Spalletti's side finished second in the group, eventually eliminating Croatia from knockout contention.
Meanwhile, Switzerland also started their Euro 2024 campaign with a win, beating Hungary 3-1, before successive 1-1 draws with Scotland and group winners Germany booked their place in the knockouts as group runners-up.
Expecting a tough contest for a place in the quarterfinals, Sutton wrote in his column for the BBC:
"Switzerland ending up drawing with Germany in their final group game, but they were ahead for a long time, and it looked like they would top Group A. I was speaking to Danny Murphy about this game because he is co-commentating on it for BBC TV, and he fancies Switzerland strongly, but I never really agree with Danny, so I am going to go with Italy.
"They are the holders, and they found a way to get the result they needed against Croatia in their last match in Group B. In fairness, although they only scored their equaliser in the 98th minute, they didn't deserve to lose anyway because they'd had the better chances.
Predicting a 1-0 win for the holders in the Euro 2024 Round of 16 opener, Sutton concluded:
"I just have a feeling Italy will do the same here, and find a way to win, although it is going to very close."
Italy have lost once in their last 17 games with Switzerland, winning seven, including their Euro 2020 group game 3-0.
"We need to do more" - Italy boss Luciano Spalletti after reaching Euro 2024 Round of 16
Italy boss Luciano Spalletti sounded pleased with his side's progress to the Euro 2024 Round of 16 but admitted that they were second-best in the first half of the Croatia draw.
Spalletti said that the team has the quality, as he bemoaned 'trivial' mistakes. The veteran coach told Rai (via UEFA) in his post-game interview after drawing with Croatia:
"We have to congratulate them on how they reacted. In the first half we were sub-par. If we do so little, we accomplish little. A behaviour where you think about the result without believing you can win it. I expect more from my players. You have to find that balance."
"We have players who have the quality to play these games. But we make mistakes that are too trivial. We have superior qualities than what we have seen. We need to do more."
The Azzurri are unbeaten in 10 games in the European Championships since a shootout defeat to Germany in the 2016 quarterfinals, winning eight games (including shootouts) and losing once.