Ruben Vargas (right), who provided an assist and a goal, had a huge performance against Italy in the round of 16 of Euro 2024.
Freshfocus
The Swiss team is in the quarter-finals of the Euro! They beat Italy (2-0) and, better still, by teaching them a lesson. As improbable as they may seem, these three statements are very real. On Saturday in Berlin, the Nati offered themselves one of the greatest matches in their history. Given the context and the manner. Their incredible German adventure will continue next Saturday in Düsseldorf.
Three years after its unforgettable victory against France in Bucharest, the national team will return to the quarter-finals of the European Championship. The doubts that surrounded it before the tournament have been definitively swept away. Switzerland is still this team of fabulous consistency in major tournaments. But now it can boast of having reached a milestone. 2021 was not a feat without a future.
Ndoye rather than Stergiou to replace Widmer
The story of the day perhaps begins in the 15th minute, when all of Switzerland found itself holding its breath at the same time. The national team had just entered its round of 16 in a wonderful way, confirming the idea that there was more than one move to play against this tormented Italy. It was there, at the end of the first quarter of an hour, that Granit Xhaka sat down on the ground at mid-court. Was the captain injured? Was the guide going to have to stop there, when everything was still to be written? No. A handful of interminable seconds later, he was back on his two legs. No worrying residual signals? No worrying signals!
In line with its draw against Germany, Switzerland gave the feeling of control. It was without the ball against the Mannschaft, it was with possession against Italy. With impressive accuracy and a riot of energy during recovery. The screenplay once again proved Murat Yakin and his choices right. The coach announced that he would replace Silvan Widmer (suspended) with Leonidas Stergiou just a few minutes after the duel against Germany. Nice bluff. Dan Ndoye was “simply” moved back a notch. This also meant trusting Ruben Vargas. The intuition would pay off. But first, Remo Freuler came through.
Vargas, passer then scorer
In the tunnel leading to the pitch at the Olympic Stadium, the Bologna halfback appeared relaxed in front of the cameras. He needed some relaxation when he came up with his move in the 37th minute. A run that was far from easy to control, a perfectly struck volley from close range: Switzerland had found a way to beat Gianluigi Donnarumma. Against this Squadra Azzurra, that meant they had done the hardest part.
And then there was the Ruben Vargas intuition. The one to make him start, and the one that crossed his mind and his right foot a few seconds after returning from the break. The Augsburg winger opened his foot, curling a brilliant shot under the batten: Switzerland led 2-0 (46th). And since that matters too, she was supported by the loudest fans in the stands.
England or Slovakia in the quarter-finals
Was a ticket for a Euro quarter-final really going to fall “so easily” into the pocket of the Swiss, this team whose ability to even get out of its group before the competition was doubted? This may sound crazy, but the answer is yes. It just took a bit of luck with what could have become the twist of fate of the match. This bell header from Fabian Schär which caught Yann Sommer on the wrong foot, but which ended up on the post (52nd). The way was wide open.
The rest will therefore be England or Slovakia, in a quarter-final that Switzerland will have to respect, but of which it will certainly not have to be afraid. Until then, she has a week to prepare. And savor, already a little, the incredible journey traveled.
Switzerland – Italy 2-0 (1-0)
Olympic Stadium in Berlin.
Arbitrator: Szymon Marciniak (POL).
Buts: 37e Freuler 1-0; 46e Vargas 2-0.
Suisse: Summer; Schär, Akanji, Rodriguez; Ndoye (77e Sierro), Brother, Xhaka, Aebischer (92e Steffen); Rieder (71e Stergiou), Embolo (77e Duah), Vargas (71e Zuber). Instructor: Murat Yakin.
Italy: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Mancini, Bastoni, Darmian (75th Cambiaso); Fagioli (86th Frattesi), Cristante (75th Pellegrini), Barella (64th Retegui); Chiesa, Scamacca, El Shaarawy (46th Zaccagni). Trainer: Luciano Spalletti.
Warnings: Barella (35e), El Shaarawy (45e), Mancini (57e).
2024-06-29 18:09:27
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