Italy-Switzerland: the match notes – 24hfootnews

After its convincing victory against Turkey (3-0) in inauguration of the Euro, Italy confirmed against neighboring Switzerland (3-0) and officially becomes the first nation qualified for the knockout stages. Still in Rome, the Nazionale has not changed its mind. It was Sassuolo’s midfielder Manuel Locatelli who scored twice, his 2nd and 3rd goals for his 12th selection, and an ovation from the Roman den. Ciro Immobile tried a lot and finally found the fault after regulation time. Roberto Mancini has found the ideal replacement for convalescent Marco Verratti and can be satisfied with the start of his squadra’s competition.

The former, Giorgio Chiellini, had thought to open the scoring, but a double control of the hand spotted by the VAR prevented him (19th). The veteran then threw a cold on the Olympic Stadium, injured and forced to give way to Francesco Acerbi (24th). In the process, Manuel Locatelli appeared in front of goal to take a cross from Berardi and release the boot (1-0, 26th). The 23-year-old midfielder sheltered Italy after returning from the locker room, with a slightly deflected left foot strike (2-0, 52nd). One minute from the end, the regional of the stage, Ciro Immobile, scored the 6th Italian goal of the competition, with a shot that slipped under the glove of Yann Sommer (3-0, 89th). Sunday’s Italy-Wales (6 p.m.) will be worth a first place.

Find the film of the match on our live commentary.

Man of the match: Locatelli (8): the environment which evolves in Sassuolo is distinguished by its technical ease and its ability to play in one touch. Qualities that materialized on the opening of the Italian score. At the origin of the action thanks to its superb opening, the number five is at the finish by converting a center of Berardi (1-0, 26th). His ability to speed up his team’s play with one touch transmission remains admirable. Rewarded for his efforts by a second goal thanks to a superb strike which left no chance for Sommer (2-0, 52nd). A meeting of high quality this evening. Replaced at the 85th through Pessina

Italy

• Donnarumma (6): the Italian potter was serious in the first half, analyzing the playing situations well to make good outings on the foot. Vigilant on the successive attempts of Zuber (64th).

• Di Lorenzo (5.5): very serious in his right lane, the Italian defender strove to defend well and not take unnecessary risks in the first half. Very to his advantage in duels. the Napoli side took advantage of the favorable circumstances of the match to show himself a little more offensively. Not free from any reproach on the occasion of Zuber (64th).

• Bonucci (5.5): true captain of the Italian central hinge, the Juventus player brings serenity to his partners. Rarely caught by default, his experience and sense of investment allow him to analyze situations well.

• Chiellini (not rated): the captain of the Squadra Azzura thought well to open the scoring for his family but the VAR logically refused the goal for a hand fault (20th). The Juventus player must leave his family prematurely due to injury (23rd). Replaced at the 24th through Acerbi (6) who entered his match well with a good intervention in front of Embolo in particular (45th). The Lazio player was rather to his advantage in the duels. He sacrifices himself by tackling to counter a strike from Zuber (73rd).

• Spinazzola (6): always very interesting in his initiatives, the Italian left side does not hesitate to take offensive initiatives as on his center for Immobile (11th). A real offensive weapon for his team, his climbs all turned out to be dangerous in the first half. He gave himself a great opportunity just before the break (37th). More discreet after returning from the locker room, the defender devoted himself to defensive tasks.

• Barella (6): the elegant midfielder of Inter is distinguished by his foresight and technical ease. Capable of oscillating between short and long play, its transmissions can break lines. The Italian champion stood out with a few losses of balls after returning from the locker room. Replaced at the 85th through Cristante

• Jorginho (6): worker behind the scenes, his vision of the game and his sense of placement remain essential to his team. The Chelsea player is invaluable in collecting the ball. A real metronome in the Italian midfield, number eight brings stability to his team.

• Locatelli (8): see above.

• Berardi (6): Sassuolo’s right winger is still a danger on his right lane. The person concerned demonstrated all his technical qualities on the center which brought the goal of Locatelli (1-0, 26th). A little more discreet after returning from the locker room, its percussion quality remains interesting. Waste a great opportunity with a shot too removed (67th). Replaced at the 68th through Toloi

• Motionless (6.5): Established at the forefront of the Italian attack, the goalscorer from Lazio missed a great opportunity with his head on a good cross from Spinazzola (11th). The transalpine striker knows how to be forgotten when necessary. Anchor point for his team, he weighs on the opposing defenses. The number 17 takes advantage of a long balloon to open the way to the goal but fails to frame (72nd). Well served by Chiesa, his tense shot passes right by (75th). Rewarded for his efforts by a goal on a vicious strike at the end of the match (3-0, 89th).

• Badge (7): the small pocket striker of Napoli appreciates evolving between the lines and in small spaces. The person concerned remains capable on a sudden burst of rocking a meeting. Number ten often combined with Spinazzola. Very mobile in his movements, the person did not skimp on defensive efforts. Replaced at the 68th through Chiesa who could have been a decisive passer for Immobile (75th).

Swiss

• Sommer (4): Borussia goalkeeper Mönchengladbach had a pretty lively evening r. He didn’t have to really deploy in the first half. The 32-year-old goalkeeper couldn’t do anything about Locatelli’s two goals. He could only touch the ball on the goal of Immobile (89th). He made some good parades which allowed Switzerland not to return to the locker room with a too heavy score (55th, 76th).

• Elvedi (3.5): Like his defense partners, the Mönchengladbach player suffered tonight in the face of the Italian attack. He failed to cover Mbabu’s climbs and let Insigne and Immobile speak behind his back several times. His placement left something to be desired even if he made good interventions to underline (34th, 66th).

• Akanji (3.5): positioned in the left axis of the three-way defense, Manuel Akanji had some difficulties against Berardi and Di Lorenzo. The Swiss defender did not know how to position himself correctly and left several spaces behind his back. On the other hand, he responded present in the duels and made a nice rescue on his line (37th).

• Schär (3.5): the experienced Newcastle defender missed his game. At the heart of the three-way defense, he had this role of leader, one who guides his partners. He did not know how to go up the block when it was necessary and made his partners retreat too much at times. If Locatelli was not attacked at the time of his strike, it is also because the 29-year-old central left him alone without rushing him. Replaced by Zuber at the 58th. The striker got a small opportunity (73rd) but failed to disrupt the Italian defense.

• Mbabu (4): in his role of right piston, the Swiss side was rather very active by multiplying both defensive and offensive races. While his speed allowed him to catch Insigne several times, he was sometimes overwhelmed by the climbs of Spinazzola. He had the merit of following the actions of his attackers. Replaced in the 58th by Widmer. Basel’s right side returned to bring some fresh blood to the right lane. He made a few overflows without more.

• Xhaka (3.5): The Arsenal midfielder had to be at his best in order for his side to come up with a result against Italy. This will not have been the case. He suffered in the face of the physical impact and mastery of Locatelli, Barella and Jorginho. He’s spent most of the time defending and running behind the ball and obviously that’s not where he’s the best.

• Scratch (3.5): alongside Xhaqa, the Atalanta midfielder tried somehow to help in defensive spots. On this point, he did not have a bad game since he padlocked Immobile several times, but he did not do much more. Replaced by Sow at the 84th.

• Rodriguez (3.5): if Akanji was also in difficulty, it is partly due to the placement of the left side of Torino. He too often lacked defensive rigor and let Berardi feast on the many spaces behind his back. Offensively, we expected more from his left paw, especially since he had this role of piston to accompany Embolo, Shaqiri and others.

• Shaqiri (4): the Liverpool striker was positioned behind the two attackers and had quite a bit of freedom on the pitch. Despite some good trips between Jorginho and Locatelli, the 29-year-old failed to shine and show better than on the first day. His combinations with his attackers were too poor to be able to worry the Italian defense. Replaced by Vargas at the 76th. He didn’t show off.

• Embolo (4,5): very good on the first day, the young 24-year-old striker was once again very restless on the attack front even if he was too often alone. He tried to improve on the few balls he had. His in-depth calls made it possible to offer other solutions to his team.

• Seferovic (3.5): the Benfica Lisbon striker went through the game like a ghost. While Embolo has tried somehow to stand out, he has failed to be interesting in the ball as well as in his calls. Replaced by Gavranovic (3.5) at halftime. The Dinamo Zagreb striker failed to do better than his compatriot.