Switzerland coach Murat Yakin is worked up to be dealing with Italy, who symbolize ‘the house of tactical soccer’, and insists they’re prepared for any system Luciano Spalletti throws at them.
The EURO 2024 Spherical of 16 tie kicks off on the Olympiastadion in Berlin on Saturday at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT).
Whereas the Azzurri moved to a three-man defence in opposition to Croatia, they used 4 on the again in each the win over Albania and defeat to Spain, so are conserving Yakin guessing.
“We did our homework, we didn’t simply watch these three video games, however the previous ones too,” stated the coach in his press convention.
“Italy are in a position to fluctuate and play many various programs. That is the house of tactical soccer and I actually like the best way they do issues. They’ll defend collectively, go man for man everywhere in the pitch, one thing that for instance Atalanta do.
“We’re prepared and maybe we are able to shock Italy too.”
When these sides met through the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, each video games resulted in attracts with Jorginho failing to transform a penalty in every of them.
These outcomes allowed Switzerland to prime the group and go into the competitors, whereas the Nazionale had been eradicated within the play-offs.
“I at all times get requested about that sport and it was essentially the most fantastic feeling I skilled, so I hope to really feel it once more tomorrow. We’re glad to play Italy, we need to have an open and attacking strategy.
“I don’t need to get drawn into who’s the favorite, we all know Italy’s energy. Hopefully we are able to have the identical luck as our latest conferences…”
This can be a knockout tie, so if it ends in a draw, they’ll go to further time and maybe even a penalty shoot-out.
“We had time to coach every single day on penalties, which is clearly not the identical as throughout a match scenario, however all of us have the mandatory expertise to take them. In any case, I don’t need to take into consideration that till we get to it,” continued Yakin.
Switzerland pressured to make adjustments
Former Udinese participant Silvan Widmer can be suspended for Switzerland, together with Italy’s Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori.
“There can be adjustments, we now have gamers who’re able to step in and studied two tactical variations. We’ve acquired to have a strong defence and make fast turnarounds, that’s how we are going to attempt to win the sport.”
Among the many many Serie A gamers within the Switzerland squad, Dan Ndoye has flourished since transferring to Bologna.
“He has improved a lot, I can see it day-to-day. His choice to hitch Bologna was wonderful and I went to go to him there too. He brings unpredictability and that purpose in opposition to Germany actually lifted him psychologically too.”
