After a few days of some kind of a “spiritual retreat” the games are starting shortly.
What can we expect from the upcoming matches?

Let’s start with today’s games, providing daily updates with a very short summary of each game from the previous day and my predictions for the next games.

• Switzerland vs Italy

A very balanced game, slightly leaning, in theory, towards the Italian team. But in practice, Switzerland has real chances to win this challenge. 

Why? 

Firstly, in the group stage, they demonstrated Defensive Compactness and Organization along with Offensive strength through their forward players – namely, Vargas, Embolo, Ndoye, Duah, or Rieder – with the match against Germany, the last of the previous stage, standing out. The Swiss team combines experience in the Defense and Midfield lines, with high-level players, like Akanji and Xhaka, as well as some youthful exuberance and speed. Additionally, the Italian team has shown different faces: a fearless approach in their first game and a more typical Italian posture afterwards. Nonetheless, Italy has quality players such as Donnarumma, Bastoni, Chiesa, Jorginho, Barella, and others who ensure Offensive quality. There are some weaknesses, and it’s acknowledged that this Italy is not the most talented but is a very competitive side and, above all, has a nearly unique characteristic in this Euro: the Culture aligns with their Game Model.
And this could be very important in the knockout phase.

The big question for this Game is: who will take the initiative?

• Germany vs Denmark

Germany is naturally the favorite and will certainly take control of the Game. However, the problems could arise during Defensive Transitions, where Denmark will try to exploit the spaces left in behind, using forwards like Hojlund, Wind, or even Bah and Kristansen on both flanks. Regardless, this seems a Game where Hjulmand’s absence will be felt due to his ability in Defensive Organization but, mainly due to his ability for clearing situations during Offensive Transitions, with simple and effective passes that allow the team to continue the play forwards. His greatest Offensive quality is this simple, associative play that enables the next player to advance the collective play with quality. Germany has been slow to get the best out of players like Havertz or Wirtz and hasn’t achieved the necessary stability in Midfield and Defense, where players like Andrich and the Tah-Rüdiger duo haven’t fully convinced yet. Moreover, the entire Defensive line, despite its undeniable individual quality, still seems unsettled.

However, I don’t expect many surprises in this game. Germany will naturally progress in the competition.

Let the games begin!