With a goal in the 98th minute, Italy set up a round of 16 clash with Switzerland. What do the media in the country of the defending champions write about the last performance and the next opponent?
No time? blue News summarizes for you
- When everyone was already expecting Croatia to win, Mattia Zaccagni scored the acclaimed equalizer with the last attack of the onrushing Italians.
- The late goal secured the Squadra Azzurra's qualification for the round of 16, where Switzerland awaits on Saturday.
- A glance at the media shows: The national team has earned respect in Italy.
"Tuttosport"
"First the bow to Modrić, then the ace Zaccagni stings. Italy fly into the round of 16. Italy save themselves in the last minute and book their ticket to the knockout phase."
"The Azzurri will face Switzerland, who finished second in Group A after scoring a late equalizer against Germany in the 92nd minute. A very tough team who are unbeaten in seven games and showed against Nagelsmann's team that they can make it difficult for anyone."
"Gazzetta dello Sport"
"We're in the round of 16. With a last-second spell from Zaccagni and after a crazy game in which we were just a millimeter away from the third-place gamble. Zaccagni, a miracle for the round of 16 in the 98th minute. When defeat seemed certain, he scored a masterpiece of a goal. A very unimpressive Italy had Mattia Zaccagni to thank. The Croatians, on the other hand, already have one and a half feet on the plane that will take them home."
"Bologna block and compactness: Switzerland think Italian. The Azzurri's opponents know how to cause damage with a rotating three strikers, and Sommer is a force to be reckoned with in goal. (...) Three goals conceded in three games (always from high balls), Xhaka leads a midfield in which Aebischer has shown great things, and many attacking solutions, from Duah to Ndoye.
"Corriere dello Sport"
"With the last breath, when only the most unshakeable optimists still believed in it. In the eighth minute of stoppage time, with the last action, Zaccagni found the magic that gave Italy second place and a ticket to the round of 16. A national team that has shown great character and courage, but which has a lot of work ahead of it to correct the many mistakes that were seen today and against Spain, both in defense and in the build-up play."
"Italy, beware of Switzerland: Yakin's team is organized and aggressive, reminiscent of Thiago Motta's Bologna: the red and blue trio is flying. (...) Switzerland will be a very uncomfortable opponent. Ruthless and energetic. Yakin's Switzerland, now something of an institution in his home country, have put Germany in dire straits at home: they were caught by a sudden lapse of concentration in the 92nd minute, otherwise they would have won the group. Instead, they come to Berlin unbeaten and with five points, with the specific aim of progressing at the European Championships. It won't be easy to knock them out - apart from the bad memories that bring us back to the failed World Cup qualification after the two penalties missed by Jorginho."
"Corriere della Sera"
"Italy finally return to Berlin, 18 years after their World Cup triumph in 2006. The team equalizes against Croatia at the very last second thanks to the bravery of Zaccagni and advances to the round of 16. They face Switzerland in the Olympic Stadium."
"Italy, who were paralyzed at the start, made do with the bare minimum. But they got away with it. And now, against Switzerland on Saturday in Berlin, a different story could begin."
