The carousel resumes. After an almost euphoric first round with Turkey, which allowed the Azzurri to reach the 28th consecutive profit, and to grow waves of enthusiasm around the national team, Italy returns to the Olimpico for the second round against Switzerland, less opponent. trivial than you think even if his debut against Wales (1-1) was not the most brilliant, indeed. .
The opposite of Italy which, if things turned out well (success against Switzerland and a draw between Wales and Turkey), could even hit the early qualification for the round of 16.
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Already here we can see the dangers: those of an excess of optimism. In fact, so far everything has gone well. And Turkey, glued to its half, made things easier for us. It is true that it took time and an own goal to take the lead, but Italy, with its speed and relentless game, had by now put the opponents on the ropes then crumbled due to inability to oppose a shred of reaction.
Now with Switzerland we have to replicate. There is a problem, however: that the Swiss, after the draw with Wales, cannot leave other points on the road. In addition, his coach, Petkovic, a former Lazio coach, knows Italian football very well. We don’t know what he’s up to, and he certainly won’t tell us. However, it will not make that kind of unworthy bolt practiced by Turkey. Probably, on the other hand, they will press us higher, to create some problems for us in defense. In attack, the Swiss are not joking: Embolo is fast and powerful. Remo Freuler, another who knows us well, should not be forgotten. Mancini himself warns: “Switzerland is a strong and square team. we will have to play a perfect match, almost without making a mistake “
Given the risks, however, there are good reasons to be confident. The first that Italy, on the wave of enthusiasm, can afford to change almost nothing. Apart from Florenzi, who will be replaced by Di Lorenzo, the same team that made sparks with Turkey takes the field. A right choice because, beyond the necessary trust, there are no signs of fatigue. The impression is of a growing group made even more compact by the latest performances. In the last nine games Italy always won without conceding a goal. In addition, the Azzurri had five days to recover.