Italy come into the game against Ireland knowing that a victory might not guarantee them progression into the next round of the tournament, despite staying unbeaten.
The Azzurri take on the Boys in Green on the 18th of June in Poznan. The match will be played at the Stadion Miejski with kick off starting at 19.45 (GMT).
The last match played between the Irish and the Azzurri ended in a 2-0 victory for the Boys in Green, but that match was a friendly played a year ago. Italy have been known for not playing that well in the friendlies, but they manage to increase their performances
in competitive matches.
Italy and the Republic of Ireland have met on two occasions in international tournaments, with Ireland securing the win one and Italy winning once.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Italy-c2926
La Nazionale have managed to surprise many with their enterprising play and their move away from the typical defensive game to a more fluid style of play under Cesare Prandelli. However, Prandelli has not been able to register a win in the European competitions
as yet, but has managed to remain undefeated in the tournament.
Italy has remained unbeaten under Prandelli in competitive matches, winning eight and drawing 4 matches in their 12 competitive matches.
A win might not be enough for the Italians to proceed into the next stage of the tournament, if the result of the Spain-http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Croatia-c2879 match turns out to be a 2-2 match.
Republic of Ireland
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Giovanni-c14985 Trapattoni’s men will be looking to leave the tournament with some respect and dignity after their first two results were one to forget. They were thoroughly outclassed in their first match against Croatia, a game they ended up losing 3-1. Worse
was to come as the reigning European Champions picked up a gear, winning 4-0 against Trap’s men.
Odds are stacked against the Boys in Green for a result against the Azzurri but Trapattoni has reiterated that Ireland are looking to go out of the tournament on a high.
Team News
Italy
The Azzurri are welcoming http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Russia-c2991 on the 1st of June.
Prandelli was sweating over the fitness of his star defender and there was a possibility of Barzagli missing out on the whole tournament because of the calf strain.
With Barzagli’s arrival into the starting line up, there have been talks of a reversion to the 4-1-3-2. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Daniele-De-Rossi-c10112 has played a pivotal role for the Italian cause in Barzagli’s absence. However, his coming back into the starting line up means that
De Rossi would be deployed in his preferred position of central defensive midfielder.
Balotelli has been ruled out for the match against Ireland due to a knock he picked up in training and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Antonio-Di-Natale-c6306 would be making his way into the team in his absence.
Probable starting XI: Buffon, Maggio, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini, De Rossi, Marchisio, Pirlo, Motta, Di Natale, Cassano.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Republic-of-Ireland-c2987
Trapattoni will name an unchanged side against Italy as he repeatedly stated in press conferences that he will keep faith with the team that helped Ireland come this far into the tournament. There have been no injury concerns for the Boys in Green.
Probable starting XI: Given, O’ Shea, St Ledger, Dunne, Ward, Duff, Andrews, Whelan, McGeady, Keane, Long
Players to watch
Andrea Pirlo (Italy)
The Juventus man has dismissed any notions of age slowing down his game as he has been instrumental in pulling the strings in the Italian midfield. The Azzurri international scored a wonderful free kick against Croatia, and Prandelli would be hoping for
consistency from the former Milan playmaker.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Robbie-Keane-c31215 (Ireland)
The former Tottenham striker has yet to make an impact for the Irish, but he will be looking to end the tournament on a high.
Prediction: Italy would dominate Ireland and make sure that they win this match so that their chance of qualifying for the next round stays alive.
(Verdict: 2-0)
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