Switzerland and Italy officially raise the curtain on the Euro 2024 knockout stages with an intriguing first last-16 showdown this evening.
The Swiss very nearly shocked hosts Germany to top their group but conceded a stoppage-time equaliser in their last game, although the shape of the draw has mitigated its effects.
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Group A’s runner-up will play a team which finished second in its group anyway, with Group B’s Italy their opponents in the last 16.
A difficult era for the Azzurri since winning the last Euros received a timely boost late in their group decider as Mattia Zaccagni struck in stoppage time to snatch a point off Croatia.
But they have underwhelmed for some time now to make this a difficult-to-predict knockout tie, which of course will require extra-time and penalties if it stays level.
Date, kick-off time and venue
Switzerland vs Italy is scheduled for a 5pm BST kick-off today on Saturday June 29, 2024.
The match will take place at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.
Where to watch Switzerland vs Italy
TV channel: In the UK, today’s game will be televised live and free-to-air on BBC One, with coverage beginning at 4.30pm.
Live stream: Fans can also catch the contest live online for free via the BBC Sport and BBC iPlayer app and website.
Live blog: You can follow all the action via Standard Sport’s live blog.
Switzerland vs Italy team news
Switzerland XI: Sommer, Schar, Akanji, Rodriguez, Aebischer, Freuler, Xhaka, Rieder, Vargas, Ndoye, Embolo
Subs: Stergiou, Elvedi, Zakaria, Okafor, Steffen, Mvogo, Zuber, Zesiger, Sierro, Duah, Kobel, Shaqiri, Jashari, Amdouni
Italy XI: Donnarumma, Di Lorenzo, Mancini, Bastoni, Darmian, Cristante, Fagioli, Barella, Chiesa, Scamacca, El Shaarawy
Subs: Buongiorno, Gatti, Frattesi, Jorginho, Pellegrini, Raspadori, Vicario, Bellanova, Retegui, Zaccagni, Cambiaso, Folorunsho, Meret, Dimarco.
Switzerland vs Italy prediction
Italy’s struggles in front of goal may be exposed by a well-drilled Switzerland side which should have confidence against the big boys after a result against Germany. This knockout tie might be a bit of a chess game, though.
Switzerland to win, 1-0.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
The Swiss have not beaten their neighbours for over 31 years, a run lasting 11 matches.
Switzerland wins: 7
Italy wins: 29
Draws: 24
Switzerland vs Italy match odds
Switzerland to qualify: 21/20
Italy to qualify: 4/6
