Italy 1-0 Switzerland LIVE! Locatelli goal – Euros match stream, latest score updates today
Locatelli #Locatelli
Italy will be looking to book their place in the knockout stages of Euro 2020 when they take on Group A rivals Switzerland in Rome tonight.
The Azzurri failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, but look a different prospect at the Euros – and already have one foot in the next round after beating Turkey in their opening game at the Stadio Olimpico.
That impressive win and performance have marked Roberto Mancini’s side out as potential contenders to win the European Championship for the first time since 1968.
Switzerland thought they were also on the way to a valuable first win in Baku on Saturday following Breel Embolo’s goal against Wales, only to be pegged back by Kieffer Moore’s header 16 minutes from time – and they need more points on the board this evening.
Italy vs Switzerland highlights
Half-time | Italy 1-0 Switzerland 20:50 , Tom Doyle
So far, so good for Italy, who are leading and don’t look like conceding.
It’s tough going for the Swiss, who are going to have to open up in the second half.
20:35 , Tom Doyle
33 mins: The Swiss can’t clear their lines, and the ball falls to Insigne on the left of the box – he tries to curl one over Sommer, but the ball is cleared by a defender. It didn’t look like it was going in, but he had to be sure.
GOAL! Italy 1-0 Switzerland | Locatelli, 25 mins 20:28 , Tom Doyle
This one will count!
It’s a great team move from Italy as Locatelli is first onto a loose ball in midfield and brilliantly swings it out wide to Berardi.
Berardi teases from the right and feeds the ball calmly across goal for the oncoming Locatelli to fire home from close range!
Chiellini off injured 20:26 , Tom Doyle
A real setback for Italy now as Chiellini kicks the ball out of play and points at his hamstring – his night is done.
He goes off for Acerbi. From thinking he’s scored the opener, to it being ruled out, to going off injured – it’s not been a good few minutes for Chiellini, has it?
NO GOAL – HANDBALL 20:21 , Tom Doyle
Disappointment for Chiellini and Italy as VAR rules the goal out for handball – replays show the ball clearly struck the Italy defender’s arm at the corner, so that’s a fair decision.
20:21 , Tom Doyle
There’s a VAR review for a potential handball by Chiellini…
GOAL! Italy 1-0 Switzerland | Giorgio Chiellini, 18 mins 20:20 , Tom Doyle
Italy lead!
Giorgio Chiellini goes up for an inswinging corner from the left, can’t get his head on it, but the ball falls kindly and he lashes home!
20:20 , Tom Doyle
Corner to Italy…
20:18 , Tom Doyle
16 mins: Switzerland have settled a little now, with Italy finding it more difficult to break them down.
This looks like it’ll be a game of few chances – so sorry about that…
20:11 , Tom Doyle
10 mins: Spinazzola gets away down the left and dinks a cross in from the byline – Immobile meets the ball with a header, but can only sent it over the bar.
20:10 , Tom Doyle
Some panic at the back here as the Swiss fail to clear their lines, but Italy can’t find the space or numbers to exploit the opening.
20:08 , Tom Doyle
5 mins: Solid start from Italy, who are using the ball confidently. The early signs are that the Azzurri could be potential contenders for the title.
It seems a little too much pressure to put on a team who didn’t even qualify for the last World Cup, but this Italian side has a mean defence, and seems well built for tournament football.
Kick-off! 20:02 , Tom Doyle
We are underway in Rome.
19:56 , Tom Doyle
Time for the national anthems.
19:55 , Tom Doyle
Here come the teams!
19:55 , Tom Doyle
The stage is set in Rome, with both sets of fans enjoying themselves in the stands – that’s always good to see.
The signs are ominous for the Swiss. Italy have never lost a tournament game in Rome, and have won their last nine games without conceding…
Group A as it stands 19:42 , Tom Doyle
So, Wales’ 2-0 win over Turkey in Baku sends them top of Group A after two games, but Italy will retake top spot with a win of any kind given their current goal difference.
Turkey are really up against it to claim one of those best third-place positions, but the Swiss could make things really interesting if they bag a result in Rome this evening…
19:05 , Tom Doyle
Italy have handed Giovanni Di Lorenzo a start in defence, but manager Roberto Mancini has otherwise kept faith with the side that thrashed Turkey on the opening day.
The Azzurri defeated Turkey 3-0 on Friday, but defender Alessandro Florenzi picked up an injury during the encounter and has been replaced by NapoliâÂÂs Di Lorenzo in a like-for-like swap.
Manuel Locatelli keeps his place in midfield with Marco Verratti still not ready to feature as he continues his recovery from a knee injury.
Switzerland manager Vladimir Petkovic has picked the same team that drew 1-1 with Wales on Saturday, with Breel Embolo leading the attack after scoring in a man-of-the-match performance in Baku.
Italy vs Switzerland subs 19:04 , Tom Doyle
Italy: Sirigu, Belotti, Pessina, Emerson Palmieri, Chiesa, Acerbi, Cristante, Bernardeschi, Raspadori, Bastoni, Toloi, Meret
Subs: Widmer, Zakaria, Vargas, Mvogo, Zuber, Sow, Fassnacht, Benito, Mehmedi, Gavranovic, Kobel, Comert
Italy vs Switzerland lineups 18:56 , Tom Doyle
Italy XI: Donnarumma; Chiellini, Di Lorenzo, Spinazzola, Bonucci; Locatelli, Jorginho, Barella; Insigne, Berardi, Immobile
Switzerland XI: Sommer; Mbabu, Elvedi, Akanji, Rodriguez, Schar; Freuler, Xhaka, Shaqiri; Embolo, Seferovic
Latest Italy team news 17:44 , Tom Doyle
Italy boss Roberto Mancini will surely want to keep changes to a minimum after such an impressive opening display against Turkey.
However, PSG full-back Alessandro Florenzi was replaced at half-time by Napoli’s Giovanni Di Lorenzo on Friday and subsequently diagnosed with an inflammatory muscle injury to the right calf.
Italy are increasingly optimistic star man Marco Verratti will be fit to play some part in the group stages — and the midfielder could be named on the bench against Switzerland tonight.
Verratti missed Italy’s opener with a knee injury, but played 20 minutes in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Saturday and is back training.
“He is improving day by day,” said Italy coach Roberto Mancini, ahead of tonight’s game in Rome. “We will see if he will be able to be on the bench against Switzerland, but we are very optimistic about his condition.”
Italy vs Switzerland predicted lineups 17:43 , Tom Doyle
Here is how we think the two teams will line up in Rome…
Italy XI: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bonucci, Acerbi, Spinazzola; Barella, Jorginho, Locatelli; Berardi, Immobile, Insigne
Switzerland XI: Sommer; Elvedi, Schär, Akanji; Mbabu, Zakaria, Xhaka, Rodríguez; Shaqiri; Embolo, SeferoviÄ
Italy vs Switzerland prediction 17:43 , Tom Doyle
Playing in front of their own fans once more, if Italy are as clinical and relentless as they were on opening night, then they will surely prove too strong for Switzerland.
Petkovic’s men will have been disappointed to let that lead against Wales slip late on and a likely loss here will leave them needing a result against Turkey in Baku on Sunday.
Italy 2-0 Switzerland
Where to watch tonight 17:42 , Tom Doyle
TV channel: The match will be televised live on ITV for free.
Live stream: UK viewers will also be able to watch the match online via the ITV Hub.
Kick-off time and venue 17:42 , Tom Doyle
First things first… Italy vs Switzerland is scheduled for an 8pm BST kick-off this evening.
The match will be held at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy – a boost for the Azzurri, obviously.
17:40 , Tom Doyle
Hello and welcome to our LIVE coverage of tonight’s Euro 2020 Group A clash between Italy and Switzerland!