Come on another one. After Turkey, three to zero also for Switzerland. It is now a vice. A trademark of this sparkling Italy that, easily overcoming the Swiss (Locatelli’s double and Immobile’s low shot), is already flying to the round of 16 of this traveling European that could not have started in a better way.
Next Sunday the Azzurri will play against Wales (2-0 winners over Turkey) for first place in the group. Whoever checks it goes directly to London, the second to Amsterdam. Even a draw would be enough. But these are not speeches for a national team like this whose imperative is to win and make a show with numbers that do not admit discussions or useless downward speculations. Undefeated in 29 games (one step away from Pozzo’s record), the Azzurri have scored 32 goals in the last 11 rounds.
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A goal machine with an equally brilliant defense as he hasn’t conceded a goal for 968 minutes. An impenetrable rear guard. This was also seen when Chiellini, due to a resentment in his left flexor, was replaced by Acerbi. We were on 24 ‘of the first half, in a very delicate phase of the match. Five minutes earlier, at Chiellini himself, a goal had been canceled after the intervention of the Var that would have prematurely cut the legs of the Swiss. A correct signal, it must be said, because an involuntary touch with the left arm had actually occurred. From a possible one to zero, the defense pivot was then replaced. A critical moment. Certainly not easy. Still, nothing has changed. Acerbi fit in perfectly.
As proof that in this Italy men count, of course, but also a game formula that also digest alternations well. Speaking of alternations, this was the evening of Manuel Locatelli, 23, the Sassuolo midfielder who took the place of the injured Verratti, top player of the national team. For Locatelli, the protagonist of an author’s double, it was a magical night. Both for the authority with which it has imposed itself, and for the beauty of the two networks. The first, at the 26th, entirely signed with the Sassuolo brand. The action starts from Manuel who, with a precise throw on the right, serves his partner Berardi. The movement is very fast. Berardi moves towards the back and with his right serves Locatelli himself who, after a 40-meter run, finds himself on time to bag the net.
And here we understand that there is no tripe for Switzerland as well. The 12,000 Italian fans make the Olimpico vibrate and Locatelli, incredulous for happiness, runs to the bench, to hug all his teammates, where Chiellini himself had recently sat with the ice pack on his sore leg. by Locatelli. Here we are in the second half, at the 52nd. When the Swiss, after a first substitution in attack (Gravanovic for Saferonovic) try to put pressure on Italy. Nothing concrete, but they try. But their plans immediately crashed in front of the second feat of Locatelli who, after a support from Barella, started a surgical low shot from the top of the area that gave no way out. A powerful goal, of classic beauty. Which recalls those old shots by Gigi Riva, when he hit the opposite corner with his left.