Manuel Locatelli scored a goal in either half and Ciro Immobile completed the drubbing with a late third to extend their winning streak to 10 games as Italy entered the last 16 of Euro 2020.
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The Italians started off from where they had left in the first game. It was yet another dominant display from the Azzurri. Roberto Mancini’s side put three past Switzerland to seal a spot in the last 16 of Euro 2020. Midfielder Manuel Locatelli scored a goal in either half before Ciro Immobile sealed the match with a late third. The Italians were dominant in every department. They were clinical in front of goal, midfielders dictated the game and the defenders gave a solid performance. Mancini’s only concern would be captain Georgio Chiellini’s injury. The Italians are now unbeaten in 29 games.
Mancini made only one change in the starting XI from the previous Euro 2020 game. Right-back Giovani Di Lorenzo came in for injured Alessandro Florenzi. Locatelli started the scoring in the 26th minute at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. The Sassuolo man started the move by delivering a fine pass to his club teammate Domenico Berardi on the right wing and continued running towards goal. Berardi dribbled past Ricardo Rodriguez and delivered a cut back for Locatelli to tap in from close range.
Six minutes after the break, midfielder Barella gave the ball to Locatelli, who’s sweet left-footed strike went into the bottom left corner of Switzerland’s goal. The strike from 22-yards was perfect. Switzerland goalkeeper Yann Sommer didn’t even make an attempt and kept watching the ball go past him.
One minute before time, Immobile completed the drubbing with another strike from outside the penalty area. The Lazio striker’s shot brushed past Sommer’s outstretched right hand and went into the goal.
Italy’s 4-3-3 formation was absolutely devastating. With less than ten minutes on the clock, the Roma left-back easily dribbled past Elvedi to deliver a superb cross but Immobile’s free header went over the crossbar.
Lorenzo Insigne’s corner found the back of the net due to Chiellini. But, VAR showed that the 36-year-old defender had handled the ball before scoring.
The Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was a mere spectator just like the previous game. Switzerland’s only shot on goal came after the hour mark but Steven Zuber’s attempt was saved by Donnarumma.
After six days of competition, Mancini’s side looks like serious title contenders. They have been superb in all departments without really showing any weakness so far. It was their 10th consecutive victory without conceding a goal
