Luciano Spalletti confirms Federico Dimarco is out against Switzerland and Nicolò Fagioli could start, as the EURO 2024 squad must be ‘similar’ to the 2006 World Cup winners.
The Round of 16 kicks off in Berlin on Saturday at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT).
This is the same stadium where Italy won the 2006 World Cup Final, seeing off Zinedine Zidane’s France on a penalty shoot-out following a dramatic 1-1 draw.
“It is always emotional, but when you are next to Gigi Buffon telling you a thousand things about that experience, we absorbed all of it! We must be similar to that group tomorrow in order to repay them for that immense joy,” Spalletti told Sky Sport Italia.
“I was at home watching it at the time. We need to qualify tomorrow because it is too important that we bring joy to our fans.”
The Azzurri struggled to get through the group phase, beating Albania 2-1, losing 1-0 to Spain and then scraping a last-gasp 1-1 draw with Croatia thanks to Mattia Zaccagni’s curler at the 98th minute.
“I think that goal came because we were in the game to the last second, we never lost our way or let our heads drop. Seeing them in that human pyramid after the goal was such a great sight and it remains with you. I am convinced we can see similar scenes of celebration tomorrow.”
Spalletti changed to a three-man defence in the third game, but is reportedly working on four at the back for this match with Switzerland.
There are fitness concerns, as Alessandro Bastoni was suffering from flu symptoms, while Dimarco was still struggling with that knock to the calf he suffered against Spain.
“Bastoni needs to be evaluated, he had a bit of training today, which allowed us to breathe a sigh of relief. Dimarco cannot recover, he is out. We will play with something that resembles a four-man defence, because we must try to be more attacking than what we’ve seen so far.”
Juventus midfielder Fagioli has been tipped to start in midfield rather than Jorginho, and Spalletti’s comments seemed to suggest that was accurate.
“You have young talent pushing and we must create the space that they deserve. Fagioli has this natural, calm way of doing things, so seems perfectly suited to that role. It’s just about having the courage to give him that space.”
Riccardo Calafiori is suspended, so that changes the shape of the defence too.
Spalletti analyses Switzerland
The Swiss team finished runners-up behind Germany after a 3-1 win over Hungary, 1-1 draw with Scotland and 1-1 draw with Germany.
“Switzerland have this solid block, so even if you win it back quickly, it is difficult to find them stretched out. They have a very modern way of defending, they keep a high line and the team tight, so it is possible to get in behind them.
“However, they also have a ferocious press, so if you don’t have the passes planned out in your mind, it is very difficult to pass it out of there once the ball comes to your feet,” warns Spalletti.
“Our performances so far have largely been very much below our capabilities, but in the second half against Croatia we were very attacking, positive and barely suffered at all. We kept pushing to the last second, with our minds believing we could do it, with mental strength and determination to make our fans happy.
“It was a miracle, but one we fought for. I think the draw was fair and there was luck getting it at the last second, but we earned it too,” concluded Spalletti.
Italy's pitch inspection at the Olympiastadion in Berlin 📍🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/pSS3BXXYh8
— Football Italia (@footballitalia) June 28, 2024
Praying for Azzuri. You will make it. It is going to be a draw. Italy has maintained it’s strong defence and with Donnarumma you can’t go wrong.