Wednesday, June 16, 2021 at 10:49 PM• Chris Meijer • Last update: 23:00

Italy also managed to win its second group match at the European Championship without too many problems. The team of national coach Roberto Mancini was 3-0 too strong for Switzerland in Rome, thanks to two goals from Sassuolo midfielder Manuel Locatelli and a goal from Ciro Immobile. Thanks to the win, Italy has already secured a place in the top two in Group A and will have one point enough against Wales next Sunday to become group winner. Switzerland, on the other hand, must at least win against the still scoreless Turkey to keep a view of the eighth finals.

Mancini made one change from the 0-3 win against Turkey: Giovanni Di Lorenzo replaced Alessandro Florenzi, who was absent with a calf injury. Switzerland entered with the same eleven as in the first European Championship match with Wales (1-1) and had to deal with an Italian whirlwind in the Stadio Olimpico from the first whistle. Immobile got the first opportunity when he headed over in a promising chance.

After Lorenzo Insigne unsuccessfully appealed for a penalty, Italy seemed to take the lead after nineteen minutes. After an aerial duel with two Swiss, the ball fell from a corner at the feet of Giorgio Chiellini, who undoubtedly hit the target. Referee Sergey Karasev disallowed the goal after VAR interference, however, because Chiellini touched the ball with his hand. The Juventus defender had to be replaced by Francesco Acerbi shortly afterwards due to an injury. After 26 minutes of play, it was still hit for the Italians.

Domenico Berardi was released on the right side of the penalty area after a nice move and found his teammate Locatelli van Sassuolo in the goal mouth, who made no mistake from close range: 1-0. Via Insigne, Leonardo Spinazzola and Immobile, Italy had opportunities to run further in the first half, but Switzerland kept the damage limited. National coach Vladimir Petkovic chose at halftime to replace Haris Seferovic with Mario Gavranovic, who immediately received a yellow card for a hard foul on Leonardo Bonucci.

Despite the fact that Switzerland handed out the first pinprick in the second half via Nico Elvedi, Italy came 2-0 with 54 minutes on the clock. Locatelli was given space on the edge of the penalty area to strike and found the free right corner behind the hopeless goalkeeper Yann Sommer. After doubling the margin, Italy slowed down a bit, giving Switzerland space. Xherdan Shaqiri showed himself twice with an attempt, while goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma had to save after a bet by Steven Zuber.

It then seemed to stay at 2-0, after Immobile missed a great opportunity by shooting the ball just past the wrong side of the post. The Lazio striker took his second goal of the European Championship two minutes before the end. Immobile received the ball on the edge of the penalty area, was given space to turn and swipe, after which the leather popped into the left corner behind Sommer and the final score was made at 3-0.

No. Team m W G V +/- Pnt
1 Italy 2 2 0 0 6 6
2 Wales 2 1 1 0 2 4
3 Switzerland 2 0 1 1 -3 1
4 Turkey 2 0 0 2 0 0

Football zone keeps you informed about everything about EURO 2020

Curious about the current position, the competition program and much more European Championship news? Click here!