Day 14 marks the start of the knockout stages of UEFA Euro 2024.
To kick-off the Round of 16, a gritty and resilient Switzerland side are taking on a shaky and misfiring Italian side at the Olympiastadion in Berlin followed by the hosts Germany taking on Denmark at Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at what the first day of the Round of 16 has in store for us.
At this stage during the last Euros, Switzerland stunned the world by beating France, the then-world champions, on penalties after a 3-3 thriller in Budapest. Three years later, they’ll believe that they can reach another European quarter-final here, having impressed during the group stages, finishing behind Germany, and remaining unbeaten so far.
Italy, on the other hand, were looking all set for a third-place finish in Group B after falling behind to Croatia during the second half of their game. However, the Azzurri have always possessed a sting and a last-gasp equaliser from substitute Mattia Zaccagni deep into stoppage time saw them snatch the point they needed for a second-place finish, effectively eliminating Croatia in the process.
Luciano Spalletti’s side certainly haven’t been at their best across the competition so far, but that doesn’t matter anymore provided they can get themselves together for the knockout stage. With such a strong tournament pedigree and a mentality that sees them battle right to the end, it would be foolish to write off the reigning European champions.
Steven Zuber remains an injury doubt for the Swiss after not featuring at all against Germany. The role of mercurial attacking midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri is also up for debate, with the likelihood being that he will come off the bench at some point. After starting against Germany and getting through that game with no issues, Breel Embolo should be ready to start again here.
Spalletti, on the other hand, will be forced into a change to his backline with Riccardo Calafiori suspended following his booking against Croatia. It would be no surprise if Italy reverted to a back four with Matteo Darmian partnering Alessandro Bastoni in the centre of defence. Forward Federico Chiesa will also be pushing for a recall.
Switzerland
Form (all competitions, most recent first): D-D-W-D-W
Most recent result: Switzerland 1-1 Germany, Euro 2024 Group A
European Qualifying: Finished 2nd in Group I with 17 points
Italy
Form (all competitions, most recent first): D-L-W- W-D
Most recent result: Croatia 1-1 Italy, Euro 2024 Group B
European Qualifying: Finished 2nd in Group C with 14 points.
People most of the time associate knockouts with tight and turgid football, but that isn’t likely to be the case here when you consider how the two teams have played in the tournament so far.
All three of the Swiss’ group games saw both teams score every game, so you better believe the Rossocrociati won’t be afraid to throw bodies forward. However, that can leave them exposed defensively, and when it comes to a major tournament, Italy can never be written off.
With that in mind, back both teams to score in what should be a close contest that may well require extra time and possibly penalties to decide it.
Switzerland 1-1 Italy (Italy go through on penalties)
Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Donnarumma
Defenders: Fabian Schär, Manuel Akanji, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Alessandro Bastoni, Riccardo Calafiori
Midfielders: Nicolò Barella, Granit Xhaka, Remo Freuler, Marcelo Brozovic
Forwards: Giancomo Raspadori
Captain: Gianluigi Donnarumma
Vice-captain: Giovanni Di Lorenzo
Also watch: Should Cristiano Ronaldo start for Portugal in the knockout stages of Euro 2024?
Julian Nagelsmann’s side finished top of Group A after Niclas Füllkrug’s stoppage-time goal earned them a late 1-1 draw against Switzerland in their final group game. Prior to that, Germany also beat Scotland 5-1 and Hungary 2-0 to confirm their knockout qualification.
Denmark, on the other hand, managed to qualify for the knockout stages without winning a single match, drawing all three of their games in Group C.
In their final group stage match, Kasper Hjulmand’s side were held to a nervy 0-0 draw by Serbia in Munich, which resulted in them finishing second ahead of Slovenia thanks to fewer yellow cards.
For the first time at the Euros, Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann will be changing his starting lineup, with Jonathan Tah’s yellow card suspension forcing him to change things. Nico Schlotterbeck, who came on as a substitute against Switzerland, is in line to replace the Bayer 04 Leverkusen defender at the back. On the injury front, Antonio Rüdiger is struggling with a thigh issue. If he doesn’t recover in time, Waldemar Anton is likely to feature in his place.
Denmark will be without Morten Hjulmand, who is suspended after picking up his second yellow card of the tournament against Serbia. Thomas Delaney is expected to be his replacement, with Brentford FC’s Christian Nørgaard also an option.
Germany
Form (all competitions, most recent first): D-W-W-W-D
Most recent result: Switzerland 1-1 Germany, Euro 2024 Group A
European Qualifying: Host Country
Denmark
Form (all competitions, most recent first): D-D-D-W-W
Most recent result: Denmark 0-0 Serbia, Euro 2024 Group C
European Qualifying: Finished 1st in Group H, with 22 points.
Germany were certainly not at their best against Switzerland, but qualification to the last 16 had already been secured and so they can be expected to be fully focused for this encounter.
Denmark have not looked a particularly potent force this time round, and even a changed German defence should be good enough to keep them quiet and provide the platform for a routine win.
Germany 2-1 Denmark
Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer
Defenders: Joshua Kimmich, Maximilian Mittelstädt, Joachim Anderson, Andreas Christensen
Midfielders: Jamal Musiala, Christen Eriksen, Pierre Emile Hojberg, Toni Kroos
Forwards: Kai Havertz, Florian Wirtz
Captain: Toni Kroos
Vice-captain: Christen Eriksen
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