DORTMUND/ BERLIN, 28th June, 2024 (WAM) -- Switzerland play Italy, and Germany take on Denmark in the round of 16 at Euro 2024 on Saturday.
Switzerland vs Italy
At 18:00 local time in Berlin (20.00 UAE), Switzerland will face Italy.
"After this game, I hope everyone has a little bit more respect for Switzerland," said Swiss captain Granit Xhaka following his side's 1-1 draw against Germany.
Swiss team have been inspired so far, with Xhaka (fresh from winning a domestic double with Leverkusen) helping to galvanise a squad.
Not that Xhaka is the only winner in the Swiss ranks, of course, as midfielder Fabian Rieder was quick to remind EURO2024.com: “We have Yann [Sommer], who just won the Italian league with Inter, and Manuel [Akanji], who just won the English league title with Man City. So, we certainly don't need to cower [against Italy].”
Given the trouble Italy had in getting through their group (they needed a last-ditch goal against Croatia to finish as runners-up), Luciano Spalletti's side may be the ones trembling a little as they head for Berlin. The Azzurri beat Switzerland 3-0 on their way to winning EURO 2020, but the current crop may not find it so easy.
However, winger Stephan El Shaarawy maintains that Italy's billing as favourites for this game is fully justified. "No team is happy to play against Italy because we have a footballing history," he said. “We are reigning champions and it is never easy to play against us.”
Germany vs Denmark
Germany will have to make changes in defence for the game as it tries to carry the host-nation buzz deeper into the knockout stages. Kickoff is at 21.00 local time (23.00 UAE) in Dortmund.
This is the only game in the round of 16 that features two unbeaten teams, according to an Associated Press report. Germany finished top of Group A with wins over Scotland and Hungary and a draw with Switzerland. Denmark drew all of its games against Slovenia, England and Serbia.
Germany was eliminated by eventual runner-up England in the round of 16 at Euro 2020 and has not won a knockout game at a major tournament since Euro 2016.
Denmark went all the way to the semifinals at Euro 2020 before losing to England, its biggest success since winning the European title in 1992.
Three games into its Euro 2024 campaign, the German team has not yet ignited quite the same kind of patriotic fervor that it had at the 2006 World Cup. Flags have been popping up across the country and crowds in the stadiums are vocal, though, so a win over Denmark for a quarterfinal spot could build momentum.
Germany defender Nico Schlotterbeck, who plays his club soccer in Dortmund, said, "I think the stadium is something very special because it is simply the biggest in Germany, the most atmospheric in Germany. ... We have triggered a little euphoria in Germany and are now trying to spread it. And I think if we play a good game, then all the fans will be happy and can cheer us on.”
Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand loves football in Germany. "And playing against Germany there, with the Danish team – can't be better, I can’t wait. It’s a great team. But we are great team as well. And when we play big nations we always step up.”