Switzerland and Italy, familiar rivals, will clash at Berlin's historic Olympiastadion on Saturday evening, marking the beginning of the Euro 2024 knockout phase.

The winner of this last-16 matchup will advance to face either England or Slovakia in the quarter-finals. 

Switzerland, poised to surprise by winning Group A, was held to a draw by a late German goal in their final group game last Sunday. Despite this, they progressed to the knockout stages undefeated.

Team News

Switzerland will have to make at least one change to their starting lineup, with Leonidas Stergiou stepping in for the suspended Silvan Widmer, who received his second booking of the tournament against Germany.

Forwards Ruben Vargas and Zeki Amdouni are both vying for a starting spot, along with newcomer Kwadwo Duah. However, Breel Embolo, who has recently returned from a long injury absence, is expected to continue leading the attack.

In midfield, captain Granit Xhaka, Switzerland's most-capped player with 127 appearances, has played every minute of Euro 2024 so far and was named 'Man of the Match' in the 1-1 draw with Germany. He will partner with Remo Freuler, who has provided three assists in his last four European Championship games. The Swiss squad also features several Serie A players, including Inter Milan's goalkeeper Yann Sommer.

Italy, meanwhile, must also adjust to the suspension of a key defender. Riccardo Calafiori, who received two yellow cards during the group stage, will miss the match. With Francesco Acerbi and Giorgio Scalvini sidelined by pre-tournament injuries, Gianluca Mancini is likely to fill the defensive gap. Italy's formation remains uncertain as coach Luciano Spalletti has alternated between a four-man and three-man defense.

Federico Dimarco is out with a calf injury, so Matteo Darmian may fill in on the left flank. Nicolo Fagioli, who missed much of last season due to a betting ban, could replace Jorginho in midfield, bringing more energy to the team.

In attack, Gianluca Scamacca might replace Mateo Retegui, as neither has scored in the tournament yet. Giacomo Raspadori could also make way for Mattia Zaccagni, who scored the crucial goal on Monday.

Goalkeeper and captain Gianluigi Donnarumma has made 11 saves during the group stage, the highest by an Italian goalkeeper in the opening phase of a major tournament since Gianluigi Buffon in Euro 2012.

Switzerland's possible starting lineup:

Sommer; Schar, Akanji, Rodriguez; Stergiou, Xhaka, Freuler, Aebischer; Ndoye, Vargas; Embolo

Italy's possible starting lineup:

Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Mancini, Bastoni, Darmian; Cristante, Fagioli, Barella; Chiesa, Scamacca, Zaccagni