The European Championship group stage is over and the tournament enters the hot phase on Saturday with the first round of 16 match between Switzerland and Italy. This is what Michel Aebischer says ahead of the match.
No time? blue News summarizes for you
- On Saturday, Switzerland will face defending champions Italy in the round of 16 of the European Championship in Berlin.
- At the pre-match press conference, Michel Aebischer tells us who the favorites are and what has changed in the national team since the last major tournament in Qatar.
Michel Aebischer on ...
... the match against Italy
"The favorite is Italy. (...) The experience they have speaks in their favor. They are the reigning European champions. What speaks in our favor is the preliminary round we played and the spirit in the team. We're in a good mood and have shown good football. We defend well and play well with the ball."
... the anticipation of the clash
"It's nice to play against Italy. I've been playing there for two and a half years and have experienced the football culture. It will be an experience. The Italians are crazy about football."
"I know almost all the players. I'm sorry for Calafiori, he's a very strong player. That's why it's good for us that he can't play."
... the tournament tree
"Of course you look at it and see that the other side might be the bigger nations. But from the round of 16 onwards, there are no more easy games. We first have to win against Italy before we can talk about the others."
... the calm around the team compared to the World Cup in Qatar
"It's much more pleasant. We're a good squad, everyone knows what's at stake and is focused. But we can also have fun. That's what makes the difference. If there's not much to write about from your side, that's also a compliment to us. That's why we want to continue like this."
... the celebration after qualifying for the round of 16
"The families were with us in the hotel, it was a civilized atmosphere. But of course we celebrated, qualifying for the round of 16 is never a matter of course. With the draw (against Germany), the mood was a bit subdued. I don't know what it would have been like if we had been able to prevent the goal against in the last minute."
... Coach Murat Yakin and whether he has changed
"Tactically, he's changed a bit. We now have the 5-man back line and have become a bit more flexible. We don't have fixed positions and can change positions.
