Rene Otinga
updated at June 30, 2024 at 6:53 AM
- Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti had an incredibly accurate prediction about Italy prior to the Euro 2024
- The Azzurri were knocked out of the tournament in the last-16 by a resurgent Switzerland, who comfortably won 2-0
- The 2020 Euro champions’ exit means a new winner will be crowned after the final in Berlin on Sunday, July 14
Italy’s early exit from the Euro 2024 confirmed an eerie prediction about their campaign made by Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti.
The Italians were knocked out of the tournament in the last 16 by an impressive Switzerland side, who have set up a potential quarter-final meeting with England.
![Italy, Euro 2024, Carlo Ancelotti, Prediction, Switzerland.](https://i0.wp.com/images.sportsbrief.com/images/360/b2e59d63fe2163f8.webp?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1)
Source: Getty Images
The Swiss were dominant from the start and deservedly took the lead through Remo Freuler, who expertly controlled a ball before firing a shot past Gianluigi Donnarumma.
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Ruben Vargas, who orchestrated his nation’s opener, then made it 2-0 mere seconds into the second half as he picked up a pass from Michel Aebischer before bending an effort into the top corner.
Italy could barely recover after going two goals down, with their closest glance at goal coming from Gianluca Scamacca, whose effort hit the woodwork.
Carlo Ancelotti’s prediction about Italy
In the end, Luciano Spaletti’s side were sent for an early bath at the Euros, with the full-time whistle at Olympiastadion confirming the end of their title defence.
Few would have predicted that the defending champions would exit the European Championship this early, but Ancelotti did not have high hopes for his home country.
The former AC Milan manager recently told Italian publication La Repubblica that the current crop of Italian players lacked and only one individual who could be considered world-class.
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“I don’t see top-class players except Donnarumma in goal,” Ancelotti said. ““I am talking about a generation like Pirlo, Totti, and Del Piero. More time is needed.”
Italy’s poor Euro 2024
Italy was placed in a difficult group with Spain, Croatia and Albania.
After a win, loss, and draw in their three group games, Spaletti’s side finished as runners-up, earning a slot in the knockouts.
In attack, Azzurri were blunt throughout their campaign, only scoring three goals in four games.
Spaletti, who made six changes on Saturday, took responsibility of the defeat to Switzerland, saying he was not given enough to find his strongest group of players.
“We failed because of my team selection, it is never down to the players,” he said, per ESPN.
Why Germany vs Denmark was halted
In the other game on Saturday, Germany versus Denmark witnessed strange scenes as adverse weather conditions nearly derailed the last-16 clash.
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As Sports Brief reported centre referee Michael Oliver stopped the match after a deafening thunderclap was heard in the stadium.
Lightning strikes then occurred close to the stadium, forcing Oliver to ask players off the pitch.
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