Athletics Rally Late, Snap 11-game Road Losing Streak By Beating Diamondbacks 9-4
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)
Pink Press November 2022 Fecsk6mx0aeq6zv LST524244 Image002 5 Static Social FacebookPR 1200x630 PINK 2023 National Grouplove Kidcutup B92a66f4cbf75c06049384c9c75ef9bfPink Summer Carnival 2023 Tgj 1 GettyImages 1496898099 1 ?w=1581&h=1054&crop=1Welcometonightvale Eventimage 1 02e616b9ea Pink 2024 1000 PINK 2024 SC Glasgow 510x475 8380e11bb1 20230209 Pink Announces Tour Feature 74282597 12403537 Pink 43 Shared The News On Instagram With A Picture Of Her 2024 A 62 1691984131829 Apple Maps 1 261cc6ebb8a78f31ef5f45a163 YyA3NzYxeDQwNTUrMjQ4KzcyNQJyZSAxMjAwIDYyNwM4NTJjZTg4MTU1Ng== PNK 1000x500px 1 ?v=1692752112Blackpink World Tour Hong Kong Born Pink Poster Dates ?tr=w 1200,h 900Discover Top Tier Rochester DJ Services To Electrify Your Event With The Perfect Playlist. Experience Unforgettable Entertainment Tailored To Your Style 1216x608 Image 44 3d1be1671787ce067b96d27b27468de9Blackpink Dates PINK 2024 SC TM 1024x576 7J6phyxR72rQyCgdNxlIPink Summer Carnival Tour 768x512 Pink 012524 Lt Oasgan8nptj9n44pdjwu PINK 2024 SC TM 1024x576 67809943 0 Image A 74 1676665894927 61601d17973a29f9ccec0c9fc7a8f35fPiNK Press Shot Cr Solve Sundsbo Billboard 1548 Pink Music Europe Tour 2023 Merch Pink Song List Just Like Fire Blow Me Raise Your Glass Shirt Pink Singer Summer Carnival 2023 T Shirt 600x600 Pink Music Europe Tour 2023 Merch Pink Song List Just Like Fire Blow Me Raise Your Glass Shirt Pink Singer Summer Carnival 2023 T Shirt 2 600x600 Pink Music Europe Tour 2023 Merch Pink Song List Just Like Fire Blow Me Raise Your Glass Shirt Pink Singer Summer Carnival 2023 T Shirt Pink Music Europe Tour 2023 Merch Pink Song List Just Like Fire Blow Me Raise Your Glass Shirt Pink Singer Summer Carnival 2023 T Shirt 2 64b9de1e8ff28faf6b20246834d0f4ed C8d08d96 2e16 41c7 B57a 244b34f31aa7 1140x641
Athletics Rally Late, Snap 11-game Road Losing Streak By Beating Diamondbacks 9-4
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)
