Will host nation Germany keep the pressure on Denmark and can reigning European Champions Italy play up to their level against neighboring country Switzerland?
Tonight, the first two round of 16 matches in the European Championship in Germany will be decided.
What: Switzerland-Italy, round of 16.
When: Saturday, June 29, 18.00.
Where: Olympiastadion, Berlin.
TV/Radio: SVT 2/SVT Play/P4 Radiosporten.
Switzerland's results in Group A: Hungary 3–1, Scotland 1–1, Germany 1–1.
Italy's results in Group B: Albania 2–1, Spain 0–1, Croatia 1–1.
+ Switzerland has impressed
Last Sunday, Switzerland was close to upsetting the host nation at Waldstadion in Frankfurt. Substitute Niclas Füllkrug headed in Germany's equalizer in stoppage time, and the Swiss advanced to the round of 16 as second in Group A.
National team coach Murat Yakın's team is tough to beat with a solid core. In the round of 16, they will be missing offensive right-back Silvan Widmer, who is suspended after his second yellow card in the European Championship against Germany.
+ New Italian starting eleven expected
Unlike Switzerland, reigning European Champions Italy has not impressed so far in the tournament. National team coach Luciano Spalletti is expected to make several changes to the starting eleven in the round of 16 compared to the group stage match against Croatia, according to Corriere dello Sport. For example, striker Gianluca Scamacca and midfielder Federico Chiesa are expected to return to the starting lineup after starting on the bench last time.
On Monday, Mattia Zaccagni equalized against Croatia with the last kick of the game, and Italy finished second in Group B.
+ England next?
England is the favorite to win their round of 16 match against Slovakia in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday. For Switzerland or Italy, the winner awaits. If Italy and England meet, it will be a replay of the European Championship final at Wembley in London almost three years ago, when Italy won the gold medal after a penalty shootout.
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What: Germany-Denmark, round of 16.
When: Saturday, June 29, 21.00.
Where: Westfalenstadion, Dortmund.
TV/Radio: TV4/TV4 Play/P4 Radiosporten.
Germany's results in Group A: Scotland 5–1, Hungary 2–0, Switzerland 1–1.
Denmark's results in Group C: Slovenia 1–1, England 1–1, Serbia 0–0.
+ German central defense concerns
Jonathan Tah is suspended after his second yellow card in the tournament against Switzerland. Borussia Dortmund's Nico Schlotterbeck, who replaced Tah last time, is expected to start against Denmark – a match played on Schlotterbeck's regular home arena.
The most experienced central defender, Real Madrid's Antonio Rüdiger, strained his leg in the group stage match on Sunday but is expected to be fit to play against Denmark, second in Group C behind England.
+ Danish midfield problems
Denmark's defensive midfielder Morten Hjulmand will miss the round of 16 match because he received his second European Championship yellow card against Serbia on Tuesday and is suspended. According to the Danish news agency Ritzau, Anderlecht's Thomas Delaney or Brentford's Christian Nørgaard will replace Hjulmand alongside Pierre Emile Højbjerg against Germany, who won Group A.
+ Nightmare opponent next?
For the winner between Germany and Denmark, likely Spain – one of the teams that has impressed the most so far in the European Championship – awaits in the quarterfinals on Friday next week. Unless underdog Georgia surprises again, like in their 2–0 win over Portugal on Wednesday, and beats the Spaniards.
