Vini Jr. 'almost Perfect' As Brazil Get Back On Track
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)
008261165 1 E3124ea527b4c9cc20df053c3147ebb9 35169524 Australian Universities Map EN 1024x718 Bb5805ec7372df7f7f5fefa6de03bd45 Hobart College Map 1024x717 Hobart Cbd Map Max 4b83e028de763ef355d4cba72e5fe830 NEW MAP Aerial View Sandy Bay Campus With Kunanyi Mt Wellington In Background Hob 756D97C2 5A4C 4F67 BB24 25247EDBBB29 1024x808 Cmpr 60Hobart 10000 Sma 9d9cef Preview 2 500x500 1472 1497876521351Hobart Grove Centre Map Hobart Map V1 1024x896 E584fa617e8a4e81bb2ccb2b082a6f2a 1306x734 Ciy Campus Facilites Map Areas Of The Western Sydney University Hawkesbury Campus Referred To In This Study The Au T2 H 26023 Hobart Map English Ver 1 604b1511bab4bd85ce252bdb48a4626cScience Venue Unsw Mapa Updated Hobart Cbd Masterplan.width 670 008958512 1 2081b352d26527a36e6555f999418a2b 300x300 Utas Campus And Central Hobart Precincts Header2x 1 D NRAS Student Housing Page 8 Thumb Large Nr14 6ju Map Xs Interactive Map2
Vini Jr. 'almost Perfect' As Brazil Get Back On Track
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)
