The 17th edition of the European Championship has kicked off with a bang, with host Germany securing a dominant 5-1 victory over Scotland in the opening match. The tournament is already living up to its promise of high-quality football. The first Round of 16 fixtures are set to take place on June 29th, and the excitement is palpable.
One of the most intriguing matchups pits Italy against Switzerland in Berlin. These two nations share a long and complex history, with a border separating them and Italian being one of Switzerland’s official languages. But on the pitch, all that is forgotten as the two teams battle for a spot in the quarterfinals. Italy and Switzerland have met 61 times, making each other their most frequent opponents. While Italy holds a significant edge in the head-to-head record, Switzerland has been particularly impressive in Germany, even managing to beat Italy in 1993.
Switzerland, having narrowly missed out on topping Group A after conceding a late equalizer against Germany, have shown they are not afraid of any opponent. Italy, on the other hand, struggled to impress in the group stage, needing a late goal to secure a draw against Croatia and progress to the knockout rounds. They will be looking to regain their 2020 form, where they confidently navigated the group stage and ultimately defeated Switzerland.
Meanwhile, Germany, having secured top spot in their group, faces a tough decision ahead of their last-16 clash with Denmark. Coach Julian Nagelsmann must decide who to start up front. Kai Havertz was favored in the group stage, but Niclas Füllkrug emerged as a strong contender with his impactful performances off the bench. His late-game heroics against Switzerland, scoring a powerful header to snatch a draw and secure top spot for Germany, have made him a serious consideration for a starting role.
Havertz has yet to score in the tournament, while Füllkrug’s power and physicality could prove to be a valuable asset against Denmark’s strong defense. Some observers believe that a combination of both players could be the solution. The question on every German fan’s lips is: who will lead the line against Denmark? The answer will have a significant impact on the outcome of this crucial match.
