Albert Suárez Outduels Max Scherzer To Help Orioles Beat Rangers 2-1
By Philip O'Connor
BERLIN, June 28 (Reuters) - Goalkeeper Yann Sommer is looking forward to re-acquainting himself with some of his Inter Milan team mates when his Switzerland side take on Italy in the last 16 at Euro 2024 on Saturday as contact has ceased since the draw put them on a collision course.
"I have spoken to the lads on a number of occasions over the course of the Euros, but not in the lead-up to the game. We've stopped contacting one another because both sides are focusing on the task at hand," a smiling Sommer told reporters at Berlin's Olympiastadion on Friday.
A 3-1 win over Hungary and successive 1-1 draws with Scotland and Germany set the Swiss up for their last 16 meeting with the Italians, and though they have not beaten Italy since May 1993, some see the Swiss as favourites in the tie.
"We're all focused on making it through to the quarter-finals ... every starting position is different in every major tournament. The opposition changes," Sommer said.
"We're very pleased to play against Italy in the round of 16 tomorrow night, it's a hugely important game for both sides. It's a wonderful stadium and the atmosphere should be great," he added.
Given that Italy have been involved in seven penalty shoot-outs at the Euros, Sommer might find himself the centre of attention if it comes down to spot kicks, and coach Murat Yakin said his side was ready.
"Everyone has taken a penalty in training, we've jotted down some notes but of course, it's not the same thing, taking a penalty on the training ground as opposed to taking one in a match situation with all of the pressure that pertains to that," Yakin told reporters.
"To be honest, I don't want to go to penalties. I hope we can win the game prior to that, because penalties are a lottery, and we know it's not particularly nice thing to go through. But yes, we have practised that as well. And we hope that if we go to penalties, we can win them as well," he added.
The Swiss coach said there would be some changes to the starting line-up, but that everyone is fit and ready to play.
"There's an excellent mood in the camp. And we have fought really hard to make it this far, and we can't wait to get out there and play against Italy," Yakin said.
(Reporting by Philip O'Connor, editing by Pritha Sarkar)
0*oII4 KgwOdAfpr C Guido Borelli Image Via Lookingglass Photo Com S L1600 12800410444f8f80e2460c5c5d64dcb7d428 Kris Ancog Listing Bluethumb F6de 1024x814 Helen Frankenthaler Western Roadmap 1991 S L1600 C26dfe87f66d1f1cf729e040990e08ab Akiane Kramarik Painting Thegallerist.art 26 51687 Calman Shemi East To The Gold City Art Trends 2023 Il 794xN.5157156816 Gfin 56db10c64b786f4c9e58ef8a0b602615 Quilty .786x900 Q85 Tegene 4856b5731591860ea087690e33c31a58 Alcohol Ink Art Art Tips David Choe Art Blog Painting 5 1042x695 99dcea39ccb42abf35da974166eeb0ca 918299c53f73f653e401e2a759bea6ec Bd Impressions Soleil Monet Impression Soleil Levant 1024x789 Xiyao Wang Arabesque On Vert Menthe 972x1024 Frida Diego Eduardo Kobra Street Art 2023 Trends 3ec7dfc48ca19ac33226f35c00f94dcf Robotspaint Ai Generated Art 214598b7 3e91 42a6 96fb 45f543be1235 1920x1080 Odartey Okuda 411x644 35e015414374a29ba72b4def1e1e5b86 Maxresdefault Paintings Wsj 1702108533184 1702108545335 Famous Pastel Artists Famous Surrealist Paintings Featured