Swiss eye Italian upset

The assumption in some quarters before the start of the UEFA European Under-21 Championship was that Switzerland were just there to make up the numbers in Group 1, that they would be satisfied with the honour of staging the two-week tournament and bow out gracefully at the end of the first stage.

Swiss surprise
That line of thinking has been rudely interrupted by Switzerland’s 2-0 victory over Portugal on Monday which leaves them in a position where a win over Italy in Basel tonight will put them into the last four. Even a draw might be enough should Portugal defeat England because that would then leave the Portuguese and the Swiss on four points with the host nation's victory in the second game proving decisive.

Electric atmosphere
The atmosphere inside the Saint Jakob stadium will not be for the faint-hearted with the high population of Italians resident in Switzerland combining with the desire of the home supporters to drive their team on to unprecedented success.

‘No divine right to win’
Swiss midfielder, Roman Friedli, was anxious to keep the lid on the expectation level, however, and said: “We have no divine right to win and if we lose it will not be a catastrophe. But if we play like we have done in the first two games then success will follow.”

Everyone available for the Swiss
Friedli is carrying a foot injury but expects to be able to start the game. All other members of the squad are available for coach Bernard Challandes’ selection.

Bonera suspended
Italy have to make a change from the team that edged out England 2-1 on Monday with defender Daniele Bonera serving a four-match suspension after he was sent off in the final minutes.

Apologised for comments
Coach Claudio Gentile was upset in the immediate aftermath of the game that an English player had not also joined Bonera in his walk down the tunnel but he has since apologised for his critical comments and shrugged aside suggestions that refereeing performances were working against Italian interests. “If Italy does not arrive at the semi-final stage it is because of footballing reasons and not because the referee was against us,” he said. “I hope it will be a beautiful football game [against Switzerland]. It is a game important to both teams.”

Maccarone in wonderful form
Striker Massimo Maccarone will be looking to continue in the same scoring vein and add to the two goals that beat the English in the Basel stadium two days ago. The Empoli striker is joined in the squad by only one other Serie B performer, Stefano Lucchini, and it is the Ternana player who will step into the vacancy caused by Bonera’s suspension. In central defence, Cesare Natali will continue at the expense of Paolo Cannavaro.