Pellegrini: ‘Italy players focused on the common good’ | OneFootball

Lorenzo Pellegrini assures he does not mind being pushed to the bench against Switzerland, noting the Italy squad are ‘a united group and focus on the common good.’

The EURO 2024 Round of 16 tie kicks off at the Olympiastadion in Berlin at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT, 18.00 CET).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the LIVEBLOG.

The winner will be decided after 90 minutes, extra time or even penalties if necessary.

This is played in the same stadium where Italy won the 2006 World Cup, beating France in the Final in a dramatic penalty shoot-out.

“We all participated in the emotions of that night in Berlin and I think it’s a great responsibility we have now,” Pellegrini told Sky Sport Italia.

“We came here to get through to the next round and continue our journey. We’ll give our all to manage it.”

Pellegrini among players dropped

Some changes are forced after the 1-1 draw with Croatia, as Riccardo Calafiori is suspended and Federico Dimarco injured, but Alessandro Bastoni is starting after he was suffering from a sore throat over the last few days.

Luciano Spalletti has decided to give Nicolò Fagioli and Stephan El Shaarawy their first starts of the tournament.

“Spalletti makes the choices and we are all want to be ready. We are a united group and focus on the common good.”

Pellegrini is one of those players who has been pushed to the bench, with Bryan Cristante also stepping in.

This line-up means that Spalletti has now used 18 of his 26 players so far in the EURO 2024 tournament.