BERLIN: Switzerland coach Murat Yakin said Friday he was hoping to spring a surprise against Euro 2024 last 16 opponents Italy.
His side face the reigning champions on Saturday in Berlin and while Yakin admires Italy’s tactical football, he said his own team’s set-up was more important to him.
Italy changed formation for their 1-1 draw against Croatia which saw them scrape into the knock-out rounds but while Yakin is not planning big changes, he did want to keep his opponents on their toes.
“We’ve done our homework, not only looking at these three games but previous matches prior to the tournament, and we’ve always been struck by how Italy can mix things up in terms of personnel and shape,” Yakin told reporters.
“We’re ready for Italy, that’s the home of tactical football and I like the way they do things — they defend as a unit, they man-mark all over the pitch and not many teams do...
“However I want to focus on how we set up, our tactics and maybe even catch them off-guard.”
The sides drew twice in qualifying for the 2022 World Cup and Switzerland finished top of the group with Italy failing to make it to Qatar.
“I hope we can experience something similar tomorrow night, we’ve fought very hard to make it here,” continued Yakin.
“Italy are a neighboring country, we know them well, we know all about their temper, tactics and quality.
“It will be a special game tomorrow night and we hope it pans out the same way as our previous meetings.”
Switzerland and Inter Milan goalkeeper Yann Sommer believes the tie will be decided by key moments.
“Our goal tomorrow is to progress, these are knock-out ties and every incident becomes decisive,” said Sommer.
“It depends how the teams play on the day and which way the big moments go, if they go Italy’s way or if they go our way.”
Sommer saved a Jorginho penalty in one of the two World Cup qualifying matches against Italy and the midfielder fired another one over the bar in the other.
“I don’t want to face a penalty tomorrow night... those are water under the bridge,” said Sommer, who has a reputation as a penalty-saving expert.
“If there is a penalty then I’ll do my best to keep it out.”
Switzerland’s Yakin hoping to catch Italy off-guard in Euros
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Switzerland’s Yakin hoping to catch Italy off-guard in Euros
- His side face the reigning champions on Saturday in Berlin and while Yakin admires Italy’s tactical football, he said his own team’s set-up was more important to him
- “We’ve done our homework, not only looking at these three games but previous matches prior to the tournament,” Yakin told reporters
Titleholder Arsenal and Real Madrid cruise into women’s Champions League quarterfinals
- Alessia Russo scored twice as Arsenal beat Belgian side OH Leuven 3-1
- North Londoner Arsenal won the tournament in 2007
LONDON: Titleholder Arsenal and Real Madrid easily won their home games on Wednesday to reach the women’s Champions League quarterfinals.
Alessia Russo scored twice as Arsenal beat Belgian side OH Leuven 3-1 for a 7-1 aggregate win to set up a quarterfinal with English rival Chelsea.
Earlier, Madrid set up a Clasico against three-time champion Barcelona by beating Paris FC 2-0 for a 5-2 aggregate victory.
Striker Naomie Feller opened the scoring for Madrid and defender Melween N’Dongala put through her own net.
Russo becomes top scorer
Russo’s brace took her onto a tournament-leading seven goals as Arsenal followed up their 4-0 away win from the first leg.
The England forward fired Arsenal ahead in the 23rd minute with a turn and first-time shot, and her second goal in the 90th was similar as she again used her strength to swivel and plant a low shot into the corner.
Hungary midfielder Sára Pusztai equalized for the visitors in the 29th with a close-range finish at a rain-soaked Meadow Park in Boreham Wood. Mariona Caldentey restored Arsenal’s lead with a penalty midway through the second half.
North Londoner Arsenal won the tournament in 2007, when it was called the Super Cup, and remain the only English team to do so. West Londoner Chelsea reached the final once, in 2021, but were routed 4-0 when Barca won their first title.
Earlier this month, Arsenal won the inaugural Women’s Champions Cup.
Early red card
In Madrid, Paris’ cause was made harder when defender Théa Greboval was sent off in the fifth minute for pulling back Feller as she ran through on goal.
Still, the visitors came close to taking a 19th-minute lead at Estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano when Océane Picard’s low shot from 20 meters was well saved by goalkeeper Misa Rodríguez.
Attacking midfielder Caroline Weir missed a chance to put Madrid ahead from the penalty spot in the 36th after Picard handled a cross. Goalkeeper Mylène Chavas, playing against her former club, pushed away the spot kick with both hands.
Feller broke Paris’ resistance in the 54th when she volleyed in from close range following a fine cross from right back Eva Navarro, who also set up the second goal midway through the second half when her cross led to N’Dongala’s own goal from near the penalty spot.
The revamped women’s Champions League format has followed the men’s competition, with an opening league phase of six rounds instead of eight.
The top four in the 18-team league phase — Barcelona, Lyon, Chelsea and Bayern Munich — advanced directly to the quarters and teams placed fifth to 12th went into the playoffs.
To come
In Thursday’s second legs, Juventus host two-time champion Wolfsburg with the score 2-2 while Manchester United defend a 3-0 lead at home to Atletico Madrid.
