Analysis:Swiss stability and confidence outclasses Spalletti's changes and chaos

BERLIN : Italy rang the changes for their round of 16 game on Saturday, but it was the settled and confident Switzerland side who came out deservedly on top to knock the defending champions out of Euro 2024, proving as reliable as a Swiss watch this tournament.

Swiss coach Murat Yakin made only one change from the starting team which almost outfoxed Germany in their previous game before a late equaliser denied them top spot in the group, and even that change was unavoidable with Silvan Widmer suspended.

Ruben Vargas came in and, with the Swiss already 1-0 up, struck a beautiful shot into the top corner with less than 30 seconds gone after the break. It was no more than they deserved having completely outplayed Italy in the first half.

The Italians lacked any composure with so many passes going amiss, and after multiple changes to their starting lineup they failed to gel and were without a single shot on target in the opening half. Remo Freuler's goal for the Swiss before the break did nothing to wake them from their slumber.

It was Vargas who put the cross in for Freuler's goal, his recall by Yakin proving invaluable, and the minimum tinkering which the manager has kept to throughout this tournament paid off again.

Vargas had already started the first two games for Switzerland, and Yakin's side against Italy included seven players who had played all three group games, a stark contrast to Spalletti who has failed to find his best team.

The Italian manager was forced into a couple of changes, with one of their few impressive players this tournament, Riccardo Calafiori, suspended, and Federico Dimarco struggling with an injury, but many of his decisions have led to chaos.

Six changes from the side which snatched a draw against