Utah Uses Franchise's First Pick On Iginla's Son
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)
070609027197 2023 62997238 BD Holiday Calendar 2024 Screenshot 2023 03 05 7.43.55 AM 3e0c50c57e7a0e489f7f22f64d53817f 67cab802 3a6b 472a 88e6 99f1a4303fe5 ?auto=format&fit=crop&frame=1&h=512&w=1024Tour Map 2024 Time Schedule 1 D1ps1rhuu0x81 ?auto=webp&s=4c784f8efa6426caeb3ef82f6cc8a82f1768a7dbMaxresdefault 333046852 592064579492896 8744043389885320129 N 20230301152304 9621579a 4ead 4e7d 9e3a D8c47497bd36 ?auto=format&fit=crop&frame=1&h=512&w=1024BD Govt Holiday Calendar 2024 2023 Travel Map US Travel Advisory Map 1666688778 5c7f8e2c2d843abee93c Fqtj1ElaEAAPP0I Caption ?w=1200&h=1200&s=1Travel Map With Pinned Travel Destinations Bangladesh Holidays 2024 List Striped En Bd 612x792 World Map Destinations Scaled IMG 8502 8325004 P1 Bangladesh Government Holiday Calendar 2023 Bangla Calendar 2023 BD PDF File ?ssl=1Ab3cfa81a8bffb16cd05626c91358ee2 NPRA 2024 01 91997.1689268483 ?c=22023map Hqdefault Depositphotos 587691600 L 300x200 Map 2023 1024x679 36d716271e7705c30841854ba2a17eaf 61xlbW7wk5L. SL500 80d2c1aed5a7489d627812f55e8e8104