Hawks Dealing Murray To Pelicans, Sources Say
By Philip O'Connor
BERLIN, June 28 (Reuters) - Goalkeeper Yann Sommer is looking forward to re-acquainting himself with some of his Inter Milan team mates when his Switzerland side take on Italy in the last 16 at Euro 2024 on Saturday as contact has ceased since the draw put them on a collision course.
"I have spoken to the lads on a number of occasions over the course of the Euros, but not in the lead-up to the game. We've stopped contacting one another because both sides are focusing on the task at hand," a smiling Sommer told reporters at Berlin's Olympiastadion on Friday.
A 3-1 win over Hungary and successive 1-1 draws with Scotland and Germany set the Swiss up for their last 16 meeting with the Italians, and though they have not beaten Italy since May 1993, some see the Swiss as favourites in the tie.
"We're all focused on making it through to the quarter-finals ... every starting position is different in every major tournament. The opposition changes," Sommer said.
"We're very pleased to play against Italy in the round of 16 tomorrow night, it's a hugely important game for both sides. It's a wonderful stadium and the atmosphere should be great," he added.
Given that Italy have been involved in seven penalty shoot-outs at the Euros, Sommer might find himself the centre of attention if it comes down to spot kicks, and coach Murat Yakin said his side was ready.
"Everyone has taken a penalty in training, we've jotted down some notes but of course, it's not the same thing, taking a penalty on the training ground as opposed to taking one in a match situation with all of the pressure that pertains to that," Yakin told reporters.
"To be honest, I don't want to go to penalties. I hope we can win the game prior to that, because penalties are a lottery, and we know it's not particularly nice thing to go through. But yes, we have practised that as well. And we hope that if we go to penalties, we can win them as well," he added.
The Swiss coach said there would be some changes to the starting line-up, but that everyone is fit and ready to play.
"There's an excellent mood in the camp. And we have fought really hard to make it this far, and we can't wait to get out there and play against Italy," Yakin said.
(Reporting by Philip O'Connor, editing by Pritha Sarkar)
Xmapt2024nfpagewide .pagespeed.ic.hH9l7k9i5T Best Sales Mapping Software Maptive 1 2048x1022 0fca5fe0 3af4 43dd B4f0 19c51d5b7ab8 ?auto=format&fit=crop&frame=1&h=512&w=1024Map360 2024 New Release HxGNGEO Blog Callout Map Making Software Blog Feature 768x576 Maptitude Screen Small Xbest Online Mapping Software .pagespeed.ic.YxDT9oXRBC W287DJNGSJXE 180x180.PNGMaxresdefault ?sqp= OaymwEmCIAKENAF8quKqQMa8AEB AH CYACuAWKAgwIABABGGUgZShlMA8=&rs=AOn4CLDM4LVE8d52SrhlQGz8V5epuxERcwESG Map 59 ClickUp Map View Easymapmaker 710x262 85ed2229a45788ed797d1c4366f4ee44 Top Free Mind Mapping Tools X3rdbest .pagespeed.ic.UDI51 Ycdi Word Image 466 X6thbest .pagespeed.ic.7a7b9eIxk4 ArcGisOnline 585x279 X2ndbest .pagespeed.ic.VnebyDHWLJ C07ee315ab43c34035f138a6b08db6ec X7thbest .pagespeed.ic.XxJhXqZc5R 644298d9a28d37e96007b140 Interactive Map Software Mapline 1 710x347 Xmappoint Mapinfo .pagespeed.ic.SFt1mZ09eC Image3d View Map Scaled Xmapinfo .pagespeed.ic.2Nhc TJVM8 Batchgeo 880x394 Maps Marker Pro Demo 610x370 Xmapbox .pagespeed.ic.FgEedyCccH Mapproj 600x315w Map Window 5 Progress Map WordPress Plugin 300x175 MapChart 700x394 ToyQNPvFgH Z 1UpqjjgpJlToTuxQ72uHjgXAJQmlhY6nLFqPUh56mGrzyOGGBBZG80