Remo Freulerthe Swiss midfielder who plays for Bologna after a long career atAtalanta, prepares to face Italy with mixed feelings. With 235 games behind him in Serie A, Freuler is not only a veteran, but also a leader for his national team. The memory of the 0-3 defeat against Italy at the 2021 European Championship is still vivid, but the Swiss sees in that defeat a lesson that has allowed Switzerland to grow: “That match taught us a lot. We then went to the World Cup by winning the group, while Italy stayed at home.”
THE MATCH IN BERLIN
Saturday in Berlin will not be a match like the others for Freuler. Despite his connection to Italy, Freuler puts his feelings aside to focus on the challenge: “In Berlin there will be no room for feelings, even if for me it’s not a match like the others.” The absence of his clubmate, Riccardo Calafiorithe midfielder is sorry, but underlines that the competition will be between national teams and not between clubs: “I’m sorry I won’t meet Calafiori, but it won’t be Bologna against Italy. We are Switzerland and we will face the match with our soul”.
FAVORITES AND HOPES
Regarding the predictions that Italy is the favourites, Freuler is not upset and actually sees the situation as a stimulus: “It’s right that they feel favored. Let’s hope this works in our favor. But we are not afraid.”
GRATITUDE FOR ITALY
Despite the football rivalry, Freuler expresses gratitude for the time spent in Italy: “I speak about Italy with gratitude because it is a place where both my family and I feel comfortable.”
