Euro 2024: at what time and on which channel to watch the round of 16 between Switzerland and Italy

L'Italie va t'elle éviter le piège suisse. dpa – Robert Michael

L'Italie tenante du titre n'a pas convaincu lors du premier tour et doit arrêter les atermoiements: une Suisse en pleine forme la défie samedi à l'Olympiastadion de Berlin (18h) pour le premier huitième de finale de l'Euro-2024.

It's all in attitude. Coach Luciano Spalletti appeared extremely nervous after the match against Croatia (1-1). The one who led Naples to the Serie A coronation in 2022-23 has multiplied the acidic remarks towards journalists.

The press was not kind to his team, but the content of the two matches against Spain and Croatia revealed a "Nazionale" laborious, easily dominated and tossed around according to events. The coach himself seems to be fumbling to shape his tactical plan and his typical team.

With two zero-goal center forwards as their emblem, Gianluca Scamacca and Mateo Retegui, a first in a major tournament for Italy since 2008.

Now or never for “Nati”

Among the players, we prefer to remember the extremis goal of Mattia Zaccagni (90th + 8), which allowed Italy to maintain second place and eliminate Croatia. The decisive ride by defender Riccardo Calafiori – suspended for Saturday's match – could go down in history if Italy reaches the final, in the Olympic Stadium where they were crowned world champions 18 years ago.

These qualities will have to be a little more evident against Switzerland, which is coming out of a delightful and unexpected group phase, including a successful match against Hungary (3-1) and an exploit narrowly missed against Germany (1-1), who equalized in added time. The team led by Murat Yakin relies on the dazzling form of three Bologna players – Michel Aebischer, Dan Ndoye and Remo Freuler – and Leverkusen midfielder Granit Xhaka. It's now or never for the "Nati" – who is the opponent that Italy has faced the most, without ever losing in 31 years.

The two selections will be all the more motivated as they are placed in the most open half of the table, with England and the Netherlands disappointing, and with teams in shape Austria and Romania.

The match will be watched at 6 p.m. on beIN Sports 1