- Switzerland lost 3-2 to Italy in the second group game of the U21 European Championship in Cluj-Napoca despite a strong recovery.
- After a total false start, the national team sniffs at a draw, but complains about two controversial referee decisions.
- In the last group game, Switzerland meets France without a loss, who wins their second game against Norway 1-0.
Inadequacies on the defensive, too little conviction on the offensive and as a result 3 goals behind. The shares of the U21 national team in the second group game of the European Championship in Romania plummeted after the first half against Italy. Getting his team back on track during the break might not have been easy for Patrick Framework.
And yet the coach obviously succeeded. Two minutes after the restart, Kastriot Imeri flicked the ball into the goal like a dream. And in the 52nd minute it was suddenly only 2:3. Zeki Amdouni, who, in contrast to the opening game, was used from the start, prevailed against two defenders and netted ice-cold.
Switzerland in Penaltypech
The Italians didn’t know what was happening to them, the race to catch up was launched. Inspired by the double strike, Switzerland pushed on – and then had two bad luck with controversial referee decisions:
- 54 minutes: Becir Omeragic plays Amdouni in the Italian penalty area. This is sabered from behind. The referee’s whistle remains silent.
- 70 minutes: This time Imeri is knocked down in the penalty area. The replay shows: Edoardo Bove initially hit the ball lightly, but then hit Imeri’s foot with his leg stretched out. Since there is no VAR, Mohammed Al-Hakim’s decision – no foul – remains unchallenged.
Although the Italians kept getting opportunities as a result, the Nati around the omnipresent Amdouni continued to believe in the equalizer. “Joker” Darian Males left a top chance, who shot past goalie Marco Carnesecchi on the left (74th). With dwindling strength, the supporting team finally had to accept that the combination of a miserable start fifteen minutes and bad luck with referee decisions did not allow more than an honorable defeat.
Sleepy start phase
Lorenzo Pirola had already put Italy ahead with a header in the 6th minute. Omeragic gave him too much space for a corner kick. In return, Omeragic, who had previously been unlucky, missed the equalizer with a header. A short time later, the doorbell rang again on the other side: Wilfried Gnonto was criminally left alone after a cross. The former FCZ clipper saw his header parried by Amir Saipi, but quickly pushed the rebound over the line. With the 0:2 after 11 minutes, the false start for the Nati was complete.
After all, the shock woke Switzerland from its slumber. Fabian Rieder (27th) and Imeri with a cheeky free kick (30th) came close to scoring the goal. Things quickly got worse for the Nati: With the last action before the break tea, Fabiano Parisi even increased the lead to 3-0 after a serious mistake by Lewin Blum. At this point in time, little indicated the drama that would follow.
This is how it goes
On Wednesday (8:45 p.m. live on SRF), Switzerland, who, like Italy, have 3 points, will probably have to score against group favorites France (6 points) to still have a chance of making it into the knockout phase.