Switzerland manager Murat Yakin warns they are already guaranteed second place, so can face Italy ‘without pressure’, and hopes to follow in the footsteps of underdogs Sweden.
It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Friday at 19.45 GMT.
They are currently neck-and-neck at the top of World Cup qualifying Group C on 14 points, separated only by goal difference.
The Azzurri are on +11 and Switzerland +9, so whatever happens tomorrow, the leaders will only be guaranteed after the final games.
Only the group winners go through directly to the World Cup in Qatar, the runners-up heading into a play-off, which Italy famously lost to Sweden in 2017.
“We are already guaranteed at least second place, so our minds will be free from pressure and we know it is all in our hands. We will try to win,” assured Yakin in his press conference.
These sides drew 0-0 back in September, so the head-to-head record could also prove decisive.
“We start from scratch, don’t have the same line-up as then, and neither will Italy. It’s not crucial tomorrow anyway, there are six points up for grabs and we must try to cause Italy as many problems as possible.
“They are the Champions of Europe, while we must be proactive and make our scoring opportunities count. If we just clam up and defend, we’ll achieve nothing. With the right timing and push, we can have a good chance.
“We are the underdogs, but so we were Sweden in the 2018 World Cup play-off. We know what happened four years ago, though Italy have already put it behind them and became European Champions.”
Italy beat Switzerland 3-0 at the Stadio Olimpico during the UEFA EURO 2020 group stage in June, with a Manuel Locatelli brace and Ciro Immobile goal.
“If we want to go through as leaders, we need to beat Italy, that is evident. We’ll see how the game develops.
“Roberto Mancini has been working with his side for over three years now, whereas I’ve only been with the Switzerland team for a few months, but we have found a defensive stability now.
“It is important tomorrow that we are courageous, because you cannot win without taking risks. I have decided the line-up, but I’ll announce it to the team tomorrow.”
Both teams have a great number of injury problems piling up, although Yakin did have some good news.
“Mario Gavranovic is fine. We have faith in the team and can put out the right strategy tomorrow. Italy expect an important result, because after this they have to travel to Northern Ireland, whereas we are playing at home against Bulgaria.
“We’re happy to be up against the reigning Champions of Europe and want to relish this event, regardless of the result.”
LIVE TMW – Svizzera, Yakin: “Abbiamo trovato solidità difensiva, vogliamo battere l’Italia” https://t.co/fs5vouxsUV
— TUTTOmercatoWEB (@TuttoMercatoWeb) November 11, 2021
Well, i understand his POV, but Switzerland need the Win more than us. I’d take a 0-0 right now if offered it.
Then take a +2 GD into the final matchday.
italy must set out with the mindset for a Win. But should not panic and overly risk things. Let them do that and we sting them on a counter.
During this Qualifiers Draw, I was hoping for Italy not to draw Switzerland, because the Swiss were the Top-Seeds in Pot-2….But that is exactly what Italy got. It was going to be hard anyway. But at least Italy has their Fortune in their own Hands, do the needful today. Chiesa, Berrardi, Insigne, Barella, Locatelli will have to step up.
If Italy were able to gobble up the Belgian Chocolate, they can gobble up the Swiss one too, tonight.
0-0 I mean do the Juventus thing.
1-1 Fair lah