June 29 – The last time the current European Champions, Italy, graced the Olympic Stadion in Berlin, they ruled the world after beating France on penalty kicks to win the 2006 FIFA World Cup. That match is best remembered for Zindine Zidane’s outrageous ‘Panenka’ penalty and of course, his headbutt into the chest of Marco Materazzi.
On a sun-baked Berlin evening with temperatures in the high 80s, the round of 16 kicked off with Switzerland attempting to achieve something they hadn’t managed in 31 years, and that was beat Italy.
Ninety convincing minutes later they had checked that box and more with a classy and deserved 2-0 win.
While not the loudest or fan-friendliest ground due to the running track around the pitch, the Olympic Stadium does carry the ghosts of history, and for the first ten minutes, this certainly spooked the Azzurri. They couldn’t get near the ball, chasing shadows and as a result gave away a series of cheap fouls that had Switzerland and their influential captain, Granit Xhaka, firmly on the front foot but without testing the Italian number one, Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Such was the dominance of the eleven in red, Luciano Spalletti’s team barely made it out of their own half, and it felt like a big opportunity was just one sharp pass away.
Swiss coach, Murat Yakin’s tactical press was suffocating the life out of the Italians, and in the 23rd minute, Breel Embolo should have opened the scoring. Instead, the big striker completely telegraphed his intentions and Donnarumma made a comfortable save diving to his left.
Ten minutes later, Switzerland finally made the breakthrough their intelligent football deserved. A slick passing move involving Ruben Vargas was beautifully finished off by a superb 3rd man run from Remo Freuler who volleyed beyond Donnarumma after a delightful first touch.
The response from the champions was muted, in fact, silent other than a horror challenge from Stephan El Shaarawy on Fabian Schar, that referee Szymon Marciniak deemed only a yellow when it looked like El Shaarawy had raked his foot down the defender’s calf. From the resulting free-kick, Schar almost caught Donnarumma napping with a whipped-in curler to the near post that the Italian keeper unconvincingly pushed out for a corner.
Half-time couldn’t come quickly enough for the defending champions, however, whatever was discussed in the Italian dressing room was rendered worthless just seconds into the second period.
From the kick-off, Nicolo Fagioli miskicked the ball straight to Switzerland. Four, five, six, slick passes later, triangles were being crafted with ease and Vargas would be the final beneficiary picking up the ball on the left-hand side of the box. He looked up and curled a masterpiece into the top right corner beyond the despairing dive of Donnarumma, who did well to get a fingertip to the shot. A brilliant goal and one of the best of the tournament to date.
Still, Italy could not respond, and their best chance came off the knee of Schar, who inexplicably headed a clearance against his own post with Yann Sommer stranded.
With the two-goal lead, Switzerland showed their class, maturity, and growing confidence. After utilising the high press in the first period they showed they are just as comfortable sitting in the low block. Their organisation was so clinical and disciplined that Italy could find no gaps.
It was becoming so comfortable for the Swiss fans that in the 64th minute the wave rolled around this grand old stadium followed by a series of ‘oles’ as Yakin’s men moved smoothly into cruise control playing keep away from the increasingly frustrated men in blue.
In the 72nd minute, Italy finally had their first shot on target that Sommer easily saved. With Spalletti seemingly powerless to change his side’s shape, patterns, or attitude it was left to Switzerland to provide the entertainment which they did on the occasional break, however, such was the control, resting with and without the ball became their modus operandi.
When Marciniak finally blew his whistle to put the defending champions out of their misery, it truly felt like he was doing them a favor, so toothless was their title defense. This was the worst Italian team we’ve seen in quite some time, devoid of ideas, grit, and worst of all passion.
Meanwhile, Switzerland look like the real deal and will be a handful for Slovakia or England in the quarterfinals. In Schar and Manuel Akanji, they have two outstanding defenders. Vargas on the wing looks like a live wire, while Embolo, who was guilty of missing a fine chance is a handful, however, the final word should go for Granit Xhaka.
This is the third time this reporter has seen him live and he is getting better and better. There is not a more complete midfielder in the tournament at controlling tempo, keeping things simple, and covering every blade of grass while oozing leadership.
Switzerland will go as far as Xhaka takes them and right now a semi-final slot does not look beyond them.
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