At the Cluj Arena, in front of more than 4,000 spectators, Italy beat Switzerland 3-2 and put themselves back in the running for qualification to the quarter-finals. The Azzurrini recovered from the bitter 2-1 defeat against France in the opening match and replaced the Swiss in second place in Group D, led by Les Bleus, who beat Norway (1-0) to remain on maximum points. In terms of qualification everything is still open, the last ninety minutes will be decisive.

It was an important win for Paolo Nicolato's team, which came in trying circumstances. In fact, the coach breathed a sigh of relief at the end of the match, after the splendid first half (and three goals scored), Italy risked throwing away everything with a panicked start to the second half, in which Switzerland got back into the game with two goals: "A lot of suffering, perhaps too much, but I would say that we played the match we had to play. In the second half we didn't play well, we were struggling, conceded and just tried to contain the,. We were up against a team with quality and good at exploiting the counter-attacks. In the end we held out and won deservedly."

Nicolato is already looking ahead to Wednesday's game, the third important match in the fight for the quarter-finals: "We want to regain energy and we absolutely must win against Norway. Switzerland, as I said, were a very good team and these three points are crucial. We wanted to win at all costs. We came out of a difficult moment as we were hurt and we reacted well. I am very happy with the guys, but from tomorrow we prepare for the last game of the group stage."

Relieved and smiling at the end of the match was also Fabiano Parisi, scorer of his first goal with the National Under 21 team. The Empoli full-back played excellently, full of runs, shots and crosses, and at the end he offered his verdict on the Azzurri's victory: "I congratulate my teammates and the staff. It was not an easy match. We made mistakes in the opening minutes of the second half, after a great first half. Switzerland were a very good opponent and as we gave them space, they showed it. You could see the difference between the first and second half, but in the end it was important to win."

"The goal for my dad? - replied the left-sided defender before returning to the dressing room - My father didn't often give me compliments. He was always telling me what I needed to improve on and this goal is definitely dedicated to him."

Also analysing the game against Switzerland was Salernitana centre-back Lorenzo Pirola, who at the start of the game got on the scoresheet with a header. "In the first half we played as we wanted to. With the aim of scoring, attacking, and we scored three goals. In the second half that goal out of nowhere affected us. We suffered and managed to hold on for the win."

"Where do we start against Norway from? - added Pirola - From the Italy of the first half and from the Italy seen against France. Because in the first match only the small moments punished us, the performance was there. A group when those things happen either unites or falls apart: we united even more, we wanted to show everyone that we know how to play and that on Thursday we did not deserve to lose. I dedicate the goal to my girlfriend and my grandfather, who passed away shortly before this tournament."

Finally, two undisputed stars at the Cluj Arena commented on the 3-2 win against Switzerland: Raoul Bellanova (awarded MVP) and Willy Gnonto, scorer of the second of the three goals. 

"I wanted to do well today" - the words of the Inter full-back, fresh from the Champions League final in Istanbul - "for the team, for the teammates. Today's match was a final for us and after the injustice suffered against France we wanted to put everything out there and make up for that defeat. We started the second half badly and we risked wasting what we had done in the first. Fortunately we recovered and in the end we won. I try to leave everything on the pitch, I'm really happy because we deserved these three points."

The Leeds winger, on the other hand, who was on target for the first time today in an Under 21 shirt, said: "I am happy with the goal and the win. Now we have to win the next one to progress in the European Championship. We conceded those two goals in the second half that risked ruining everything, we have to play with the mentality from the first half, because that is the real Italy. However, we are happy, because we had to win and we did."