…that is when two hearts beat in my chest. May the better team win.
I am Italian, my roots are in southern Italy, but I was born and grew up in Switzerland. For that I will always be grateful to my parents and to the country that welcomed me and my family so warmly.
I know many players in the Swiss national team personally, and I coached some of them myself. And Vladimir Petkovic is a good friend. If I had to pick one of the two teams for this match, it would be Switzerland, because Italy will go through anyway.
I always watch the European Championship matches on my own. When you meet up with friends or go to a public viewing, there is far too much distraction. I probably follow the game a little differently from most spectators. I concentrate on the tactics – who presses and when, are they playing a back three or a back four? Things like that. You miss all of that if you are eating and drinking with friends at the same time.
In footballing terms I see Italy and Switzerland as very much on a par. Italy have many young talents, while the Swiss are an experienced group. Switzerland probably even have the better attack; the Italians are a little short up front. Their defence with Chiellini and Bonucci, on the other hand, is outstanding.
