First 45 minutes gone and Italy don't have any shot on target should tell you how seriously Switzerland are taking their defense and I'm not surprised at such a statistics as the home side see doing all the pressing with a possession of 56% and more offense Italy's eighteen yard box. With how intense first half has been, it will mount more pressure on Italy to turn events to their favor in the second half else it will prove deadly.
I expected the game to be fierce, but I least expected the Italians to be pushed into the background and become so reckless to be causing so many fouls. Switzerland seem to be enjoying themselves but I hope they can maintain this confidence in the second half so that they can hit Italy where it hurts the most; eliminating them.
The first half has the Switzerland written all over it with the Italians playing as if they're leading by 4 goals to nil, it is disappointing coming from Italy. Never expected the game to be one sided, Italy are suppose to come out as the favorite in this encounter but they're not having what it takes to break the defense of the Switzerland team in the first half.
Although is not yet over, I just hope the leading team (Switzerland) won't let their guide down by giving Italy a chance to find the ball in the back of the net. I hope this first half will pass a message to other big nations who are playing against the smaller ones to be mindful of how they underrate their opponent before the kick off of the game, let's see what Italy has to offer in this second half.
I won't really blame the Italians for losing today. I mean if they hadn't lost and had managed a win, it will have become some sort of bragging rights that they have 29 wins to their belt and that despite the initial stubbornness of the Swiss, they (the Italians) were still able to silence them. At least history gets to be broken that in the last eleven games theyve played, Switzerland gets a resounding victory, silencing their opponents.
Another thing I feel got Switzerland the victory is they refused to get intimidated by Italy and their trickery. For the most part of the game, Italy found it difficult to hold the ball past two minutes. As if they were being too careful to make a mistake.
Fine win for Switzerland. Clean sheet and a chance to move to the next stage.