Expert Picks And Best Bets: Analysis On Pereira-Prochazka 2, PFL And More
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)
F6cf02cb 305d 428d B6c3 Af2509462d95 1.bbe992da0eb159b50020ad2b4f2044c5 ?odnWidth=1000&odnHeight=1000&odnBg=ffffffPersonalized%2BDeluxe%2BBig%2Band%2BBright%2BToy%2BKitchen 3bfbc065c80598ad6511854ff8899aa3 Ad5240cc937e5d3e27c8100ca40922ba 81lC1iLJmgL F49601d500f69d8208d8416731593bc5 C18706f3 A4f1 40b3 A7dd B209922eeb0d 1.c8af271d7da949f8a7e658c8174408a9 E70cc6c1 9326 40fe Bab2 22fa3b1ee6af.6a553de85e40c5175f415963d14a2a68 53de15dc6c8c6b8ec3008f35c5603123 82e8db05184bdd0e8accbbc9d54c0693 Maxresdefault 9bca8547f1da0c77e26a17516249e060 Kitchen Toys DIY Toy Kitchen Educational Mini Kitchen Play 1 Set Plastic Furniture Pretend Play Children 009fe134 368c 4cb9 A7eb Bec8bf69a69a.d74dcc8913a7cd13c6972aa368aeb193 30903 Nqnrc1 30903 S03v6b 81ihl 9 EPL Iap 197376 Naomi Kids Gourmet Kitchen Espress.JpegMaxresdefault 810Ko92crxL. SL1500 ?resize=1420%2C1500&ssl=1Spisig Play Kitchen With Curtains 0854680 Ph165530 S5 53181k Rsm 01 Bernu Koka Virtuve Petite Kingdom 20041 Rsm 1 Deluxe Electronic Play Kitchen B4bf5577 C83d 41a8 9a7d 7f376499cf43 Mid Century Play Kitchen C 816516U1RFL 623b78e1 3a5f 4bb0 91d7 4f4195d933ec 1.9d7104148cdfff2cc4753e831551a197 83789546192926 50e49ad1 99b8 49b4 94f1 F461ac612062 1.4c6e667a446bf1a63011b1ed472386a6 ?odnWidth=1000&odnHeight=1000&odnBg=ffffff81lC1iLJmgL F2ce2735bb4cbc3d91e1e18d84587499
Expert Picks And Best Bets: Analysis On Pereira-Prochazka 2, PFL And More
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)
