Euro 2020: Home Comforts and Optimism Abound In Eternal City

Italy vs Switzerland

Euro 2020 has really taken off and Italy are one of the nations which have impressed the most.

They opened the tournament in style on Friday night and showed a glimpse of their full potential in a dominant second half showing to see off Turkey.

Now their next challenge awaits and victory will secure a place in the last 16.

Standing in their way in the Stadio Olimpico is a Switzerland team which probably should also have won their opening encounter before Wales goalkeeper Danny Ward made several smart saves to preserve a point.

So as they prepare to meet for the first time in a decade and for the very first time in a European Championship, can we expect midweek Euro 2020 highlights in Rome?

Talking Points

Switzerland's Mario Gavranovic celebrates after his side held Wales into a 1-1 draw — Switzerland’s Mario Gavranovic celebrates scoring a goal that is later disallowed by VAR

Let’s start with the Azzurri who look like they will be without Marco Verratti and Alessandro Florenzi, although team doctor Andrea Ferretti suggests they are close to recovering.

Verratti sustained a knee injury with PSG at the end of the season and missed the debut game at Euro 2020 against Turkey.

Meanwhile, Florenzi started the Stadio Olimpico clash on Friday but was replaced during the halftime break with a calf injury.

If that second half showing can become a regular occurrence, then maybe Roberto Mancini’s resurgent side will become genuine contenders to win the European Championship for the first time since 1968.

It is a collective effort too. There are 10 different Serie A clubs represented – 12 clubs overall when Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea are included – and no one club truly dominates.

At the same time off the pitch, three veterans of the greatest moment in Sampdoria history are masterminding the Azzurri’s Euro 2020 challenge: chief delegate Gianluca Vialli, assistant coach Atillo Lombardo, and coach Roberto Mancini.

There is a real buzz in the “Eternal City” where the authorities have laid on a programme of events, including shows tracing the history of Italy in the Euros.

Certainly, playing in front of their own fans is a distinct advantage and in defence, goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has played seven consecutive Italy games without conceding a goal.

At the other end of the pitch, if Ciro Immobile, Lorenzo Insigne, and others are as clinical and relentless as they were on opening night, they will surely prove too strong for Switzerland.

Not that the Swiss will be brushed aside easily.

I have seen Switzerland mix it with the best sides of late and they came within minutes of beating Spain as recently as last November.

They were also on the way to a valuable first win in Baku on Saturday following Breel Embolo’s goal against Wales, only to be pegged back by Kieffer Moore’s header 16 minutes from time.

Vladimir Petkovic and his men will no doubt have one eye firmly fixed on the key clash between Turkey and Wales in Azerbaijan just before taking to the pitch in Rome.

A draw in that one will surely be the result they are looking for before they meet Turkey again in Baku in their final group game.

There’s plenty to play for in Rome for both sides.

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UEFA EURO 2020

History

In total, Italy have won 28 of their meetings and there have been 22 draws.

The Swiss have tasted success on seven occasions but not since 1993 when, managed by the recently retired Roy Hodgson, they won 1-0 in Berne courtesy of a Marc Hottiger goal.

That was in a qualifier for the 1994 World Cup which both nations reached with Italy reaching the final where they were beaten by Brazil in a dramatic penalty shootout.

Most of the matches have been friendly encounters ever since their first meeting – a 2-2 draw – in 1911.

Their last competitive clash was in 1999, a goalless draw in a Euro 2020 qualifier in Lausanne.

Betting Tip

	Italy vs Switzerland	Total Goals 2-3 @ 1.84
	June 17, 03:00 (GMT+8)

The SBOTOP Euro 2020 betting odds make Italy overwhelming favourites.

The 1X2 odds on the hosts are @ 1.62 with the Swiss @ 5.40. The draw @ 3.60 will have a certain appeal for many.

Asian Handicap odds are similarly in favour of Mancini’s men -1.00 @ 2.19 and Switzerland +0.50 @ 2.42.

Over 2.50 goals is available @ 2.36, while a re-run of their last meeting – a 1-1 friendly draw in 2010 – is on offer @ 6.80 with Correct Score.

After so many consecutive clean sheets, perhaps Italy will keep it tight and total goal 0-1 will earn you a pay day @ 2.53. But I think there may be a few more goals than that though.