Switzerland v Italy LIVE: Latest score after Donnarumma reacts to ...
Luciano Spalletti’s underwhelming Italy side face an organised, confident Switzerland team in the first of the last-16 matches at Euro 2024.
The Azzurri played poorly at times during the group stages, falling to a damaging defeat to Spain in their second game and needing a 98th-minute goal from Mattia Zaccagni to get a draw against Croatia to take them through. And the round of 16 pits them against an assured Switzerland side who earned five points in Group A, with draws against Scotland and Germany following a convincing 3-1 win over Hungary in their opener.
Switzerland are no strangers to a Euros upset, having beaten France on penalties at this stage in 2021, and with both teams are evenly matched on paper, expect a close encounter in Berlin as the knockout rounds get underway.
Follow all the latest action from Switzerland vs Italy below.
Switzerland face Italy in first knockout tie, live on BBC One
Switzerland eased through in Group A with unbeaten record
Holders Italy needed 98th-minute equaliser against Croatia to progress
Switzerland XI: Sommer; Schar, Akanji, Rodriguez; Freuler, Xhaka, Aebischer, Rieder; Vargas, Embolo, Ndoye
Italy XI: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Mancini, Bastoni, Darmian; Cristante, Fagioli, Barella; Chiesa, Scamacca, El Shaarawy
24’ SAVE! - Embolo is played in behind but Donnarumma keeps out the shot (SWI 0-0 ITA)
Switzerland 0 - 0 Italy
Switzerland 0-0 Italy17:32 , Mike Jones
30 mins: It’s a warm evening in Berlin which is probably a factor into the casual pace of play. Italy are rarely in a rush to make things happen and Switzerland are repeatedly probing inside their opponents’ half.
Rodriguez takes a shot from range but smokes the ball over the top.
Switzerland 0-0 Italy17:28 , Mike Jones
27 mins: Close!
Action at the other end now. Stephan El Shaarawy nods an aerial ball across to Federico Chiesa who twists and weaves his way into the penalty area.
He shakes a tackle and gets off a shot only for Manuel Akanji to block the danger and turn the ball out for a corner.
Switzerland 0-0 Italy17:26 , Mike Jones
24 mins: There’s been spaces for Switzerland to operate in between the lines but they’ve been lacking with a cutting final pass to properly cause Italy issues.
Save! Michel Aebischer dinks a chip over the top and picks out Embolo’s run. He shifts the ball onto his right foot and shoots but Gianluigi Donnarumma is up to the task and palms the ball away.
Best chance of the match so far!
Switzerland 0-0 Italy17:23 , Mike Jones
21 mins: Switzerland are patient in possession and manage to work it up the pitch. Embolo is given the ball by Xhaka and plays it across to Dan Ndoye hoping for a one-two.
Embolo looks to burst into the box but Italy are strong defensively and recover the ball before he gets to it.
Switzerland 0-0 Italy17:18 , Mike Jones
18 mins: Federico Chiesa helps Italy up the pitch before leaving the ball to Nicolo Fagioli. He threads a pass over to the enterprising Bryan Cristante whose low pass into the box wins a corner.
Switzerland defend is well enough.
Switzerland 0-0 Italy17:16 , Mike Jones
15 mins: Michel Aebischer curls a free kick into the box but it’s too close to Gianluigi Donnarumma who plucks it out of the air without too much trouble.
Now there’s time for a bit of Italian possession.
Switzerland 0-0 Italy17:13 , Mike Jones
12 mins: Nicolo Barella has gone down for Italy and looks to have pulled a hamstring. He hobbles off the pitch as he team turn over the ball and look the counter attack.
After their foray forward is stopped, Barella jogs back onto the pitch so the knock doesn’t seem too bad.
Granit Xhaka then floats a diagonal ball into the Italy penalty area. Breel Embolo is the target and the forward manages to get to the ball but he’s on the stretch and can’t control it cleanly.
Switzerland 0-0 Italy17:10 , Mike Jones
9 mins: Italy are defending deep and allowing Switzerland to have the ball. The Swiss look slightly unnerved to be in possession for so long but are looking to make runs into small gaps.
Ricardo Rodriguez comes out of the defence and drives forward but he loses the ball just as he gets into the box.
Switzerland 0-0 Italy17:08 , Mike Jones
6 mins: These opening minutes have all belonged to Switzerland. Ruben Vargas is sent the ball and looks to come down the left wing. He takes on Giovanni Di Lorenzo and skips around the defender before whipping a cross into the box.
Italy’s centre-backs deal with the ball but these are positive signs for Switzerland.
Switzerland 0-0 Italy17:04 , Mike Jones
3 mins: The corner ball is whipped into the middle and it’s no surprise that Italy have everyone back to defend it. The cross comes over to Gianluca Mancini who strongly nods it away from the danger zone.
Kick off! Switzerland 0-0 Italy17:02 , Mike Jones
Switzerland kick off the knockout stages and work the ball over to the right sided defender, Fabian Schar.
He lifts a long ball down the right side of the pitch and finds Breel Embolo who brings the ball into the box and helps the Swiss win the first corner of the game.
Switzerland vs Italy16:55 , Mike Jones
The teams make their way out onto the pitch in Berlin.
This is the first of the knockout matches and there are good feelings around Switzerland who have played so far in this tournament. Italy seem like a side still transitioning into an experienced group but they are stubborn and know how to win.
Can Switzerland shock the Italians?
Kick off is up next...
Switzerland vs Italy16:52 , Mike Jones
Gianluca Mancini is the first Italian to make his Euros debut in a knockout round match, since the introduction the group stage in 1980.
Switzerland vs Italy16:48 , Mike Jones
Overall, the Italians have seen more games go to extra time than any other nation across the World Cup and European Championship (21), and have contested the joint-highest number of penalty shootouts, along with Spain (both 11).
Switzerland vs Italy16:42 , Mike Jones
15 of Italy’s last 26 knockout matches at major international tournaments have gone to extra time, including four of their last five.
We could be in for a long one today.
Switzerland vs Italy16:36 , Mike Jones
Switzerland have reached the knockout stages at each of the last six major international tournaments (European Championship/World Cup) since the start of the 2014 World Cup.
The only European nation enjoying a longer such run is France (seven in a row).
Euro 2024’s eliminated teams prove the controversial format is working16:30 , Mike Jones
It took 36 games to get rid of eight teams. It will take 15 more to dispense with another 15. There can be a lopsided element to Euro 2024, taking a long time to remove one-third of sides, then rushing to expel the others. The last few days have been laced with reprieves for those who occupied third place; the way 16 of 24 advanced meant Slovenia and Slovakia could settle for draws in their final group games.
At times, it underlined the argument that there is a purity and a greater sense of jeopardy to the old model of four groups of four. Certainly, overloaded with quality outfits, Groups B and D were a throwback to the days of 16-team European Championships; reasons to rue the expansion, perhaps. Had the tournament been smaller there would have been more pool-stage games such as Croatia against Italy, with everything on the line. As it transpired, Italy would have been out but for their very late leveller.
Euro 2024’s eliminated teams prove the controversial format is working
Switzerland vs Italy16:23 , Mike Jones
Since winning 1-0 in a May 1993 World Cup qualifier, Switzerland are winless in 11 matches against Italy in all competitions (D6 L5).
They are only on longer winless runs against England (13 games) and Russia (12, including games as USSR), while Italy are only on longer current unbeaten runs against Finland (14) and Turkey (13).
Switzerland vs Italy16:16 , Mike Jones
This will be Switzerland and Italy’s fifth meeting at a major international tournament.
The Swiss won both games at the 1954 World Cup (2-1 in the group and 4-1 in the group play-off) but Italy have won the last two, 3-0 wins in the group stages of the 1962 World Cup and at Euro 2020.
Italy’s memories of Berlin16:10 , Mike Jones
This match takes place at Berlin’s Olympiastadion, where Italy beat France on penalties to win the 2006 World Cup.
Coach Luciano Spalletti saidd: "Beside the fact everyone remembers the moment we enjoyed in Berlin when we won the [2006 World Cup] final, on the coaching team with us we have ‘Gigi’ Buffon, who has told everyone about it.
"We have been reliving the excitement which we enjoyed watching from home back in 2006."
(Getty Images for FIGC)
Switzerland vs Italy team changes16:04 , Mike Jones
Switzerland make one change to the team that drew 1-1 with Germany last time out. Silvan Widmer is suspended so Ruben Vargas is brought in to bolster the forward line.
Italy make six changes to the team that lined-up against Croatia in their final group match.
Riccardo Calafiori is suspended so misses the match. Federico Dimarco, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Giacomo Raspadori, Jorginho and Mateo Retegui are all omitted with Gianluca Scamacca, Federico Chiesa, Nicolo Fagioli, Bryan Cristante, Gianluca Mancini and Stephen El Shaarawy all brought in.
Italy starting XI15:59 , Mike Jones
Italy XI: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Mancini, Bastoni, Darmian; Cristante, Fagioli, Barella; Chiesa, Scamacca, El Shaarawy
Pre-match thoughts from Switzerland coach Murat Yakin:15:52 , Mike Jones
“We have fought very hard to make it here, and these are special games. Year in year out with the Switzerland national team there are some very interesting games.
“We’re very happy to play against Italy, and I think it will be a very open game. I don’t want to be drawn on who the favourite is.
“We know about their quality, their tactics and temperament, so it will certainly be special and we hope it can pan out the same way as our recent previous meetings.”
Switzerland starting XI15:48 , Mike Jones
Switzerland XI: Sommer; Schar, Akanji, Rodriguez; Vargas, Freuler, Xhaka, Aebischer; Rieder, Embolo, Ndoye
Luciano Spalletti previews the match:15:46 , Mike Jones
Italy’s head coach said: “We know we are up against very awkward customers in Switzerland. We have not managed to show all our potential so far, or maybe we only did so for a few moments.
“We deserved to qualify, even if we needed a last-gasp goal, but we need to take it up a step, especially in terms of personality.”
England fans to be served normal-strength beers during Euro 2024 last-16 match15:40 , Mike Jones
England supporters will be served normal-strength beer during Sunday’s Euro 2024 last-16 match against Slovakia in Gelsenkirchen but will be unable to drink alcohol in the stands.
Fans were only able to purchase low-alcohol pints when Gareth Southgate’s side took on Serbia in their Group C opener at the Veltins-Arena in the German city on June 16.
Fan group the Free Lions Fan Embassy welcomed the eased restrictions, but is disappointed about some of the other measures set to be in place.
England fans to be served normal-strength beers during Euro 2024 last-16 match
Anthony Gordon vows to mark Euros goal with cycling celebration after bike crash15:34 , Mike Jones
Anthony Gordon has promised to do a cycling celebration if he scores at Euro 2024 after the England forward was left covered in grazes following a bike accident.
The Newcastle winger came out to train on Thursday morning with cuts to his nose, chin, hands and knees and it later transpired he had crashed off an electric bike a day earlier.
Gordon admitted he had been trying to record a video message for his family when he hit the dirt and avoided what could have been a serious injury.
Anthony Gordon vows to mark Euros goal with cycling celebration after bike crash
Italy’s route to the final15:29 , Mike Jones
Italy needed a dramatic 98th-minute equaliser against Croatia from Mattia Zaccagni to seal second place in Group B.
“We’re going step by step,” said forward Mateo Retegui afterward. “We’ll play against another strong team in Switzerland but we want to win and go forward.”
These two sides met in the group stage of Euro 2020, with Italy running out 3-0 winners in Rome. Switzerland are full of confidence though and could easily spring a surprise on the holders.
Switzerland’s route to the last-1615:22 , Mike Jones
Switzerland comfortably progressed from Group A and remained unbeaten and even though they finished behind Germany thanks to a stoppage-time Niclas Fullkrug equaliser from the hosts in their final game.
Murat Yakin’s side certainly don’t appear overawed by any opponents they face and will have no fear against holders Italy in Berlin.
“The first step is done,” captain Granit Xhaka said. “We’re looking forward to the next round and our next opponents. I hope everyone has a little bit more respect for Switzerland now.”
Forget the group stage – Euro 2024 starts now15:15 , Sonia Twigg
Given that over 70 per cent of the matches were used to eliminate just a third of the field, the modern group stage is almost less a final qualifying round than a warm-up. Except, this group stage has considerably conditioned how Euro 2024 now looks. It may also decide it.
If concentration of quality used to be the Euros’ best feature, there has never been so much quality concentrated on one side. It is arguably the most lopsided any international knockout stage has ever been, if also strikingly similar to last season’s Champions League. Germany, Spain, France and Portugal probably looked the best possible semi-final quartet after the second round of games, but only two can make it that far. They’re all on that side, which also features the story of the tournament in Georgia, a recent contender in Belgium, as well one of the highly capable mid-tier teams in Denmark. Slovenia, as we have seen, aren’t exactly easy to play.
There are some obvious consequences to this. Big teams are going to go out early. Those who make it through could be exhausted.
Forget the group stage – Euro 2024 starts now
Forget the group stage – Euro 2024 starts now14:59 , Sonia Twigg
Pretty much every Euro 2024 contender is deeply flawed, explains Miguel Delaney, but a lopsided draw means anything can happen as the tournament now begins in earnest.
Spain are the only top side at Euro 2024 largely satisfied with how their group stage went, but everyone else would still nod along to manager Luis De La Fuente’s message. That is to basically forget everything that has happened so far.
It’s a feeling deepened by the first real break of the tournament, following an intense start. After some squads packed three matches into eight days, teams like Austria now wait a full week for their next fixture. Managers have been glad of that, to the point it almost represents a break in the tournament, too.
“It is a new competition starting for us,” French manager Didier Deschamps said. It might almost be called the real European Championships now, right down to how it features just 16 teams in the way it used to. “We’ll see the real potential of every team,” De La Fuente added.
14:43 , Sonia Twigg
Part of Spalletti’s task is to conjure goals from a relatively limited group. It offers parallels with the recent past. Since their triumph in Berlin at the 2006 World Cup, in the last major tournament on German soil, Italy have endured misadventures in World Cups and qualifying alike. But they have excelled in the last three European Championships, each time aided by the tactical acumen of a high-class manager. Roberto Mancini won Euro 2020, aided by a progressive 4-3-3 shape. Cesare Prandelli’s use of a diamond midfield helped them to the final of Euro 2012.
But a more pertinent precedent may be Euro 2016: Then, as now, Italy lacked the calibre of player to make them plausible winners. They nevertheless looked the best-coached team until exiting in a quarter-final penalty shootout defeat. The manager then, Antonio Conte, is now Spalletti’s latest successor at Napoli. For the latest Azzurri manager, the challenge is to produce a similar alchemy, to find a formula from another group without superstars.
Conte, too, is no stranger to outbursts, a manager to see enemies whether or not there are any. Spalletti can seem a stylistic opposite on the pitch: more of a purist, less of a pragmatist. But an aesthete has shown his combative side in a different arena. One of the more fascinating characters in a Euro 2024 dugout, Spalletti has shown his spiky side. Now to see if he can turn Italy into a winning side.
Luciano Spalletti: The Italy manager trying to win Euro 2024 one outburst at a time14:18 , Sonia Twigg
There are reasons to explain that mixed start; in turn, that prompted some of the criticism of Spalletti. He admitted making a mistake by retaining the 11 starters who beat Albania against Spain; the stories about the changes he would then make against Croatia prompted some of the subsequent breakdown in relations with the media. Spalletti took offence at the suggestions his players talked him into his team selection, objecting to the use of the word “pact”.
A row can be revealing for other elements. If Spalletti is still searching for his finest team, that is understandable. He only took over last summer. He lost Sandro Tonali to a ban for gambling. Nicolo Fagioli has served his, but that rendered him ineligible for matches during the season. He lost defenders Francesco Acerbi and Giorgio Scalvini just before the tournament.
Spalletti has had to adapt and adjust. Riccardo Calafiori, who was uncapped at the start of the month, has emerged as one of the most impressive centre-backs of the group stage. But Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Spalletti’s captain at Napoli, was savaged by Nico Williams in the Spain game. Spalletti switched from a back four to 3-5-2, a formation he played at Empoli and which was the subject of his dissertation at the Italian coaching school at Coverciano.
It illustrated his versatility. He is associated with 4-6-0, with Francesco Totti a false nine for an inventive, attacking Roma side; at Napoli, he prospered with a 4-3-3. Yet Italy do not have forwards of the calibre of Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia; the only man in Spalletti’s squad with a double-figure tally of international goals is midfielder Nicolo Barella. He seems unconvinced by Gianluca Scamacca. Winger Federico Chiesa is yet to recapture his Euro 2020 form. Spalletti argued he finished with six forwards against Croatia. Zaccagni, one of the less heralded, delivered.
Luciano Spalletti: The Italy manager trying to win Euro 2024 one outburst at a time13:57 , Sonia Twigg
If emotions could run understandably high in the aftermath of a 98th-minute equaliser, Spalletti seems to be seeking to win Euro 2024 one outburst at time; waging war with the Italian press – “I am not envious of someone who writes a lovely flowing piece of prose,” he said at one stage in Leipzig – and creating a one-man siege mentality with the perception everyone wants him to fail. Suffice to say, it is not the approach Gareth Southgate or Roberto Martinez will take. Less the ambassador, more a wizened ball of fury, Spalletti collected a caution for his own celebrations of Mattia Zaccagni’s dramatic goal against Croatia.
It was a late reward for one of his earliest decisions. The Lazio winger was brought out of the international wilderness by Spalletti for his first game in charge. His goal against Croatia has set up a shootout against Switzerland for a quarter-final spot. When club football paused for the 2022 World Cup, Spalletti’s Napoli were arguably the best side in Europe. His Italy have not begun Euro 2024 in the same vein, but there is a path to assume that status.
Luciano Spalletti: The Italy manager trying to win Euro 2024 one outburst at a time13:42 , Sonia Twigg
There was a point on Monday night, when Luciano Spalletti was mid-rant, when the thought occurred that the famously awkward Aurelio De Laurentiis might not have been the awkward one in their relationship. Or the most awkward one, anyway. The Napoli president has a reputation as such a difficult character that one club who admired Victor Osimhen could not bear the thought of negotiating with De Laurentiis, so did not pursue their interest in the striker. Meanwhile, Spalletti left Napoli in the glow of a Scudetto when his employer triggered an extension to his contract, rather than discussing an improved one.
It created a path that led to Leipzig, to Spalletti being available to take the Italy job when Roberto Mancini left to accept the Saudi millions. He marked qualification for the knockout phase of Euro 2024, his greatest achievement since securing Napoli’s first Serie A title in 33 years, by lashing out in a press conference. “There is venom coming from all sides, and I inject the venom inside me myself if it doesn’t,” he said at one stage. His venom was such that he then felt the need to call one of his interrogators to apologise. He did it at 2am.
Predicted line-ups13:21 , Sonia Twigg
Switzerland XI: Sommer; Schar, Akanji, Rodriguez; Elvedi, Freuler, Xhaka, Aebischer; Rieder, Ndoye; Embolo.
Italy XI: Donnaruma; Di Lorenzo, Bastoni, Mancini, Dimarco; Barella, Jorginho, Frattesi; Chiesa, Retegui, Pellegrini.
Early team news12:59 , Sonia Twigg
There are no known injury concerns for either side.
Wing-back Silvan Widmer is suspended, so any of Dan Ndoye, Fabian Rieder or Nico Elvedi could fill in. Breel Embolo started against Germany for the first time this tournament, so we could see him line up in attack.
Otherwise, expect to see a similar line-up to the one that started against Germany, with Ndoye, Xhaka and Aebischer all prominent.
Luciano Spalletti made several changes to his starting line-up against Croatia, but another poor performance from the Azzurri showed that none of them really worked.
Lorenzo Pellegrini was brought off at half-time in that match, so it remains to be seen whether he was injured.
Roberto Calafiori is booked, so Gianluca Mancini could come in at centre-back.
Mattia Zaccagni may have earned a starting place after his world class finish for the winner, while Mateo Retegui was enough of a nuisance to suggest he may start over Gianluca Scamacca.
Matteo Darmian put in an uninspired performance, so don’t be surprised to see Spalletti revert to four at the back once more, with Dimarco and Di Lorenzo as full-back.
Giacomo Raspadori was another whose performance never suggested he’d done enough for a starting berth, so expect to see Federico Chiesa return too.
How to watch Switzerland vs Italy on TV?12:44 , Sonia Twigg
When is Switzerland v Italy?
The match will kick off at 5pm BST on Saturday 29 June at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.
What TV channel is it on?
The match will be shown on BBC One with coverage starting around 4.30pm. The match can also be streamed live online via iPlayer. You can find a full list of which channel is showing each match here.
If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help and includes deals on VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.
How to watch Switzerland vs Italy on TV?12:23 , Sonia Twigg
Holders Italy will face Switzerland in the last 16 at Euro 2024 as they look to retain the trophy they won so dramatically at Wembley three years ago.
The Azzurri have had a mixed start to this year’s tournament, with an unconvincing win against Albania foillowed by a resounding loss against Spain and a lucky draw with Croatia that saw a 98th-minute leveller from Mattia Zaccagni take them through to the round of 16.
And Luciano Spalletti’s side will face a well-drilled Switzerland side with plenty of attacking ability in their last-16 tie in Berlin. Murat Yakin’s team, which boast talents including Manuel Akanji, Granit Xhaka and Breel Embolo, eased to a 3-1 win over Hungary before drawing with both Scotland and Germany to ensure they advanced in second in Group A.
And so the Olympiadstadion is set for a tie between two evenly matched sides with plenty of history between them – will the holders advance to the quarter-finals, or can the Swiss spring an upset in Berlin?
Switzerland vs Italy10:49 , Sonia Twigg
Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the first Euro 2024 knockout match between Switzerland and Italy.
Italy scraped through to the knockout stages with a last-gasp equaliser against Croatia, while Switzerland are unbeaten in the tournament so far.
Stay tuned for all the latest build up, team news and coverage of the match in Berlin.
