Spalletti explains Italy choices and roles against Switzerland

Luciano Spalletti explains his tactical ideas against Switzerland in the EURO 2024 Round of 16, including faith in Nicolò Fagioli, Nicolò Barella work on Granit Xhaka and Stephan El Shaarawy’s role.

It kicks off at the Olympiastadion in Berlin at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT, 18.00 CET).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the LIVEBLOG.

As this is the opening game of the knockout rounds, if the tie is level after 90 minutes, it goes to extra time and possibly even a penalty shoot-out.

“I sought out emotion as a kid, watching even Serie B and Serie C team buses go by. I dreamed of one day being able to wear the jersey of a strong team, nobody expected to reach the Nazionale, but now I am doubly happy,” Spalletti told Sky Sport Italia.

Riccardo Calafiori is suspended and Federico Dimarco injured, but Alessandro Bastoni is able to start after recovering from flu symptoms.

This is the same stadium where Gigi Buffon’s Italy won the 2006 World Cup Final against France, and special guests in the stands include Marco Materazzi.

“The situation remains the same, we do feel the pressure here and when the group was drawn we had the very real risk of going out in the first round, as Croatia and Spain were top teams,” continued Spalletti.

“Now we are through, there are no calculations or permutations, everything we can create with our quality, desire and experience is right there in front of us. Good or bad, once again all of Italy is watching a game played in Berlin and that is thanks to these lads.

“They must feel our faith in them, because they are on the bus that took us back into the locker room in Berlin.”

Spalletti explains Fagioli and El Shaarawy picks

Fagioli gets his first start in the centre of the midfield, while Stephan El Shaarawy is in the trident with Federico Chiesa and Gianluca Scamacca.

“Clearly, Fagioli will be the one in the centre as a playmaker. He has youth, but everything it takes to be a top player in this role. He will have Cristante on the right, Barella on the left. Barella is delegated to press their playmaker, who will be Xhaka,” concluded Spalletti.

“In attack, there are two wingers, one who can attack more, the other like El Shaarawy who has always helped out in defence and now has the right maturity to be part of this team.”