Next Italy Gala – Switzerland in Rome without a chance

The hosts celebrate their second victory in the second group game at the EM 2021 and don’t give Switzerland a chance either. A man becomes a match winner – the victory could have been much higher.

In the 70th minute it was when the around 16,000 spectators in the Stadio Olimpico in Rome tried something that hadn’t happened in football in Corona times for a very long time: The Tifosi tried a La-Ola in the wide area of ​​the arena -Wave to tune in. Even if the tentative attempt did not work out perfectly in the end, the fans of the Squadra Azzura had reason enough after this Italy 3-0 against Switzerland.

Because the team of coach Roberto Mancini convinced as in the 3-0 in the opening game of IN 2021 against Turkey for almost the entire 90 minutes. Aggressive, fast-paced, with joy in playing and the courage to take risks. And with the outstanding man in his own ranks: Manuel Locatelli became the match winner with his two goals (26th, 52nd) against largely harmless Swiss, Ciro Immobile (89th) ensured the final score. “It was a fantastic game”. said Locatelli afterwards. The blues could have cheered much earlier – and how much charm would it have had if the 36-year-old defender memorial had taken Giorgio Chiellini for the lead? Only the merciless VAR once again emerged as a party crasher.

The Italians didn’t mind, they just picked up where they left off against Turkey. And celebrated their way to the last sixteen. Maybe it will work out in the next game with La Ola …

This is how the game went:

Despite the loud “Hopp-Schwiiz” shouts of their 3700 compatriots among the 16,000 spectators in the Olympic Stadium, the Confederates acted downright anxious, losing the ball early again and again. The Italians had the more determined actions – especially through left-back Leonardo Spinazzola. After his flank Immobile headed over the gate (10th).

Nine minutes later, the Tifosi cheered when Chiellini slammed the ball into the goal after a corner from Lorenzo Insigne – but too early: The video assistant Bastian Dankert canceled the goal because the ball had jumped to the captain’s hand. The defender had to leave the field injured five minutes later – in his 14th European Championship game, a record for Italy.

The Italians could have used a lot more opportunities

As soon as Chiellini had taken a seat outside, the 1-0 fell – Locatelli successfully completed a perfect attack against Jorginho and Domenico Berardi completely free in front of the goal. The dominance of the Azzurri was overwhelming, but they were sloppy about their chances.

The Swiss started aggressively after the break, made it a little more difficult for the Italians to build up the game – but left huge gaps in front of their own goal: Locatelli was allowed to choose the corner at 2-0. It was not until the 64th minute before Gianluigi Donnarumma had to intervene for the first time in a shot by substitute Steven Zuber in the Italian goal.

Italy – Switzerland 3: 0 (1: 0)
Torschützen: 1: 0 Locatelli (26.), 2: 0 Locatelli (52.), 3: 0 Property (89.)