Switzerland ‘knew they would destroy’ Italy, says Yakin

Switzerland head coach Murat Yakin said the Nati knew they would “destroy” Italy when their opponents in the Uefa Euro 2024 round of 16 started with four in defence – and left it up to fans to decide whether England or Slovakia would be better opponents in the quarter-finals.

Yakin’s players looked levels above the holders in their 2-0 win, scoring through Remo Freuler’s 37th-minute strike and Ruben Vargas’ curling effort 27 seconds after the break.

“It’s unbelievable what’s going on here,” former Switzerland international Yakin told SRF, via Blick. “We’ve enjoyed it in every stadium. Big praise to the fans.

“I knew that if the Italians came with a back four, we would destroy them. Then we would let them run. Dan [Ndoye] closed down the midfield. His [man], [Stephan] El Shaarawy, hardly saw a ball.”

Euro 2024: Switzerland vs England or Slovakia

El Shaarawy had been brought in by Italy as part of a three-man attack but was substituted at half-time, his team producing only one of the six attempts on target across the match.

Switzerland will face England or Slovakia, who meet in the round of 16 on Sunday (17:00 BST), in the quarter-finals in Dusseldorf on July 6 (17:00 BST).

“You have to ask the fans whether they prefer England or Slovakia,” Yakin replied when he was asked whether he would rather meet the 2020 finalists or The Falcons, who have never surpassed the round of 16.

Just 27 seconds into the second half and Switzerland double their lead 😮#BBCEuros #Euro2024 #SUIITA pic.twitter.com/vh2NIcEPzm

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 29, 2024

Akanji: Switzerland ‘superb’

Manchester City’s Manuel Akanji has been one of Switzerland’s key players at the finals and helped them keep Italy almost anonymous on their way to a first clean sheet.

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“It’s unbelievable,” said the defender. “At the last European Championship, it was perhaps even more extreme. We feel the fans on the pitch and try to give something back.

“We’ve deserved to go through. It was normal that the Italians would have more possession after the score became 2-0. But – apart from a few misunderstandings – we hardly let anything through and defended superbly, cleared the crosses well and then countered cleanly.”

Switzerland are in the quarter-finals for a second successive Euro, and Akanji spoke of his influence alongside midfielder Granit Xhaka.

“It starts in training, when we gain self-confidence,” the 28-year-old explained. “Granit and I live it, to a certain extent. That gives everyone in the team self-confidence.”