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Berlin – Things are changing. Still. By will and necessity. To look for a different and better Italy and therefore (this is the Spallotti syllogism) those quarter-finals that would give complete meaning not only to the continental tournament, but also to the still short (not to be forgotten) Italian season of the coach from Certaldo. The dream is to return, here to the Olympiastadion, the theater of our football’s dreams given the victories at the 1936 Olympics and the 2006 World Cup. In fact, the final on 14 July will also be played here. But before dreaming, we need to overcome the Swiss obstacle, a concrete and solid team par excellence, which stole our pass for the Qatar 2022 World Cup and also made Germany suffer in the group stage, with a rich representation of protagonists of our Serie A, from the Italian champion Inter goalkeeper Sommer, to the large Bolognese colony. In short, the Red Cross certainties against the potential – but also the fragilities – that Azzurra has so far showcased in a European Championship where in truth, apart from Spain, none of the presumed big names are fully convinced.
How it changes
«I expect, from a psychological and personality perspective, something better than what we have seen so far»: once the post-Croatia tensions have abated, Spalletti prods the team, asking them for a leap in quality, which is also essential to overcome this Switzerland . And so here it is, the new Italy designed by the coach, flexible and intriguing, hoping that what can be glimpsed on paper will then materialize on the lawn of the Olympiastadion. Donnarumma immovable in goal, protected by central defenders Bastoni (although affected) and Mancini (replacement for the suspended Calafiori), then on the sides (the injured Di Marco out) there are again Di Lorenzo and Darmian (also good at playing the role of “arm boy” defensive in case of need); The control keys were surprisingly entrusted to Fagioli, supported by Barella and Cristante, with Chiesa and the other Roma player El Shaarawi supporting Scamacca, who was however destined for the relay with Retegui. Eleven starters, in which, as mentioned, a lot can be seen, from the direction divided between the three midfielders to El Shaarawi’s ability to play (also) at full flank. In short, the ideas seem to be there, and many of them, and we will now see how many and which ones will survive the crash test with Swiss aggression.
Modesty
It’s a little difficult, in truth, to compare this European crossroads with the triumph of 2006, because there is so much that is different, apart from the imaginative scenario of the Olympiastadion, a facility which due to its history (it was a celebratory temple for the Nazi Games of 1936, in fact) and its grandeur inspires an alienating awe in those who look out from the stands to admire the playing field, and the stands ready to fill with the usual 70 thousand fans. Path, history, level of the tournament, moment, separate that Italy from this one, but the link is obviously Gigi Buffon, today head of the Italian delegation and then phenomenal in defense of the goal of the future world champions, who with that feat redeemed the sportingly dramatic summer of Calciopoli.
Red Cross Danger
Scenarios and tensions far from the Swiss horizon, with Murat Yakin’s boys (assisted by the Italian-Swiss deputy Contini) who dream of becoming one of the loose cannons of the tournament. This one in Berlin is “a new chapter after the elimination of the Azzurri at the World Cup” at the hands of the Swiss team, underlines the coach. «For Italy – assures Yakin – we have done our homework, it is the country of tactics. We have to surprise them.” The coach seems inclined to replace the suspended Widmer with Stergiou, while a run-off between Vargas and Rieder is foreseen for a probable 3-4-2-1 against Italy: «We are on the ball, we have prepared well – underlines the selector Swiss -. Everyone is ready for Italy, we fought for this match. After the World Cup challenge this is a new chapter. It was a positive moment and we hope to relive it here.” And after the controversies in Italy after Croatia, here is a question to the Red Cross selector about a pact between him, Xhaka and his players. «It’s a thing of the past, journalists have exploited things that happened in the past. There is a great relationship between me and Xhaka, we are both people who have the good of the team in mind, we don’t think about what we write.”
Duel with gloves
Finally, the spotlight is on the two aces in goal: Gigio Donnarumma, the best number one of the first phase, and Yann Sommer, the Nerazzurri goalkeeper who gave the usual concreteness to the Swiss defense. If Gigio hopes for an Italy capable of doing many small and big things better than in the first three games, especially in ball management and in getting out of the pressing, Sommer relaunches the challenge to the Azzurri: “We are not favorites, we are playing against the reigning champions. Italy is the favorite, but we are ready – assures the Nerazzurri goalkeeper – the atmosphere in the team is excellent, I am happy to play these eighth finals with Italy. Our European Championship? We played and defended with a lot of courage, now Italy awaits us, a team with enormous offensive variability, we will need a defensive performance at the maximum of our possibilities, only in this way will we be able to give Italy a hard time”.
