Euro 2024 Round of 16 kicks off on 29 June with defending champions Italy facing Switzerland test and hosts Germany taking on Group C runners-up Denmark.
Italy vs Switzerland
Group A runners-up Switzerland will take on Group B runners-up Italy at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. Switzerland finished unbeaten in Group A after 1 win and 2 draws.
The Azzurri on the other hand lost to Spain in their big game of Group B but a win against Albania and a point against Croatia saw them qualify as runners-up.
Ironically, the two teams are each other’s most common opponents having met a total of 61 times. Azurri have won 29 while the Swiss have come on top on 7 occasions.
The pair also met in the 2020 European Championships when Italy won 3-0.
Italy will come into the game as favorites but Switzerland could prove to be a banana skin for the defending champions.
Italy vs Switzerland: Team News
Italy have major issues in their backline with Riccardo Calafiori suspended after picking up his second yellow card against Croatia. Federico Dimarco is out with an injury and Alessandro Bastoni will also be a doubt after the defender reportedly suffered from fever.
For Switzerland, Silvan Widmer will be the only major absentee due to suspension.
Germany vs Denmark
The hosts Germany will face Denmark in Dortmund on June 29 in their round of 16 clash. Germans topped Group A finishing on 7 points. Danes finished in second place in Group C after three consecutive draws to their name.
The two sides have met 28 times, with Germany winning 15 and Denmark with 5 wins.
Germany are one of the favorites to win the tournament given their quality of football recently. The home advantage is also an essential factor in their bid to win the home Euros. A win over resilient Denmark will definitely send a message to the rest of the nations in the tournament that they are a force to be reckoned with.
Germany vs Denmark: Team News
Antonio Rudiger was the only doubt for the hosts after suffering a hamstring injury but the Real Madrid center-back took part in team training this week indicating he will be fit for Germany’s Round of 16 clash against Denmark.
For Denmark Morten Hjulmand will be suspended after collecting two yellow cards in the group stage. Christian Norgaard is likely to get a nod ahead of suspended Hjulmand.
Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
