Lichtsteiner: ‘I wanted to be fit for Euros, but the pandemic arrived’
Stephan Lichtsteiner could have played the last competition of his playing career against Italy in the European Championships if it was not for the pandemic and he warned the Azzurri about his compatriots who are going to play against each other this evening at the Stadio Olimpico.
Former Lazio and Juventus defender
Stephan Lichtsteiner
could have played
Eurosif it was not for the COVID pandemic.
The 37-year-old retired in 2020 and could have played the last competition of his playing career against Italy if it had not been postponed for a year because of the pandemic.
“I am suffering a little bit, I’d have loved to end the career like that,”
the former defender told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“It was my target and for this reason, I moved to Ausburg. I wanted to be fit for the Euros, but unfortunately, the pandemic arrived. That’s life.”
The Swiss has warned
Italyabout their game against his national team at the Stadio Olimpico this evening.
“Players like Behrami and Dzemaili played at high levels for many years and their experience could have been useful in the dressing room. The team is younger now, there is the desire to win and I am sure they will go beyond the group stage,” Lichtsteiner said.
“
Switzerland’s
best quality is the organization. The lads always know what to do on the pitch. Switzerland are very competitive and they have players who can make a difference at any moment
.
“The group is united, and they know how to face difficult moments during a game.
“They were criticized a little bit after the draw against Wales, but I think we played a good game, we created many opportunities, but we only scored once.”
However, it seems Italy are among the favorites to win the tournament.
“I was traveling, so I could only watch a few bits of the game against Turkey, but I saw the usual great quality.
“France are the absolute favorite to win the competition, but Italy can do it. They have a great coach who is doing an extraordinary job. Italy have great players and they also play at home.
“Switzerland play the first and the third game of the group stage in Baku. They will return to Azerbaijan after tonight’s game. I went there for the Europa League Final with Arsenal [in 2018] and it’s an endless journey.
“Tiredness can have an impact and Italy won’t have this problem at the beginning of the tournament.”
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