National Team Friendly

National stadium
Spectators: 10300 (Terracing: 7725, Seating: 2369, VIP seats: 206) Switzerland's Martin Rutsch started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. Ciccio Bocchi took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Gutierre Lauri, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Kim-André van der Schans showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Oliver Bierhoff, who was totally free with the ball in the 7th minute. Ciccio Bocchi showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Martin Rutsch, who was totally free with the ball in the 10th minute. Switzerland's defense didn't have a chance, in the 13th minute, when Oliver Bierhoff scored to the left of an out of position Kim-André van der Schans, making the score, 1-0. Oliver Bierhoff's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Kim-André van der Schans read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 17th minute of play. Martin Rutsch fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 18th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Ciccio Bocchi having to interfere. In the 19th minute the ball was on its way in behind Switzerland's goalkeeper Kim-André van der Schans, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Oliver Bierhoff received a nice pass, split the defenders, and ran untouched towards the goal. Kim-André van der Schans came out and tried to block the shot, but Oliver Bierhoff slotted it home off the left post making it 2-0 in the 22nd minute. Ciccio Bocchi took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Adrien Amrein, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Bernardo Di Piazza hit a great freekick 27 minutes into the match. With 28 minutes on the clock, Enzo Martelli commited a dangerous tackle. The referee had no choice but to show him the red card. Italy made a substitution. Ernesto Polo replaced Bel Cross. In a very dangerous position, a player in Italy fell when an opponent tried to get the ball from him in the 28th minute. Penalty! The referee gave Switzerland a penalty, 31 minutes into the game. The penalty shot was made by Gutierre Lauri, who made a well placed shot into the net to the right of Italy's Ciccio Bocchi. 2-1. Ciccio Bocchi took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Gutierre Lauri, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. An unexpectedly hard shot by Cristoforo Daniele in the 39th minute of play forced Switzerland's goalkeeper Kim-André van der Schans to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Ciccio Bocchi showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Gutierre Lauri, who was totally free with the ball in the 47th minute. The away team players looked dejected as the walked off the pitch at half time. They had fought hard, but were still losing 3-1.

The wind increased when Oliver Bierhoff made the kick off in the second half. The audience thought a goal was coming when Gutierre Lauri got free with Ciccio Bocchi in the 53rd minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. In the 56th minute Switzerland were awarded a corner. Gutierre Lauri went to the cornerflag to take it. Gutierre Lauri made a great header on Switzerland's corner, it was just that Italy's Ciccio Bocchi managed to reach the ball for a save. When Switzerland's Gianni Giammarino in the 56th minute got a chance for a shot 56th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Italy's goalie prevented a goal. In the 57th match minute, Switzerland was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Gianni Giammarino to maneuver through the defense. After 60 played minutes Adrien Amrein rounded Italy's defense and shot a beautiful shot into goal via left pole - 3-2. Italy's Aldo Di Biagio was substituted for Cristoforo Daniele. Ciccio Bocchi took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Adrien Amrein, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Gutierre Lauri could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 66th minute of the match, but Ciccio Bocchi made a huge save. Switzerland's Toni Jehle was substituted for Gavin Reinhardt. Clifford Heggli hit a great freekick 79 minutes into the match. Ciccio Bocchi took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Martin Rutsch, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Fortunato Froněk blasted a shot towards the goal in the 86th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Kim-André van der Schans having to make a save. Kim-André van der Schans took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Fortunato Froněk, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 88 minutes in the game, the ball went up into the seats when Italy's Fortunato Froněk fired away a shot that was just a little bit too high. He walked away shaking his head. Kim-André van der Schans showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Fortunato Froněk in the 95th minute of the match. Switzerland's players left the field with heads hung low after losing a match that had been finely balanced throughout.