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Euro 2020 Quarterfinal Roundup: Chelsea going all the way

By Travis Tyler

ROME, ITALY - JUNE 16: Manuel Locatelli of Italy celebrates with team mates after scoring their side's second goal during the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Group A match between Italy and Switzerland at Olimpico Stadium on June 16, 2021 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)
ROME, ITALY - JUNE 16: Manuel Locatelli of Italy celebrates with team mates after scoring their side's second goal during the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Group A match between Italy and Switzerland at Olimpico Stadium on June 16, 2021 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images) /
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Spain’s defender Cesar Azpilicueta celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the UEFA EURO 2020 round of 16 football match between Croatia and Spain at the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen on June 28, 2021. (Photo by WOLFGANG RATTAY / various sources / AFP) (Photo by WOLFGANG RATTAY/AFP via Getty Images)
Spain’s defender Cesar Azpilicueta celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the UEFA EURO 2020 round of 16 football match between Croatia and Spain at the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen on June 28, 2021. (Photo by WOLFGANG RATTAY / various sources / AFP) (Photo by WOLFGANG RATTAY/AFP via Getty Images) /

Chelsea remains well represented in Euro 2020 with at least one player in each of the remaining teams. To get there, many of them had to absolutely slog their way through the quarterfinals after having done so in the round of 16 as well. But, no matter what, a Blue will lift the Euro trophy just months after lifting the Champions League. How did they all get this far and what do the semifinals look like for them?

Switzerland versus Spain: Cesar Azpilicueta

Switzerland is one of those dark horse sides that could in theory win things, but they probably won’t. In the meantime, they’ll give teams a lot of trouble as a bit of a wakeup call.

Spain was again well woken up by an opponent. After Croatia pushed them to the edge, the Spanish again showed a lack of game management against Switzerland. It’s all well and good to keep pushing for goals, but in knockout matches, there is very much a point to sit and control rather than push more. Spain can’t quite get that ratio right and it’s seen them go to extra time in both knockout matches now. That, for almost any team in the world, is a sign of doom. At some point, they’ll just run out of gas against fresher opponents.

Cesar Azpilicueta remains a bright spot after having been brought back from exile. Performing a role very similar to his role for Chelsea, but in a back four, Azpilicueta has been a break out star of sorts for Spain. Rather, he’s been a break out “why didn’t you call him up more” star. Defensively sound and offensively smart, Azpilicueta is sure to start whatever matches Spain has left.

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