Played
June 19, 2012 4:45 AM EST
Stadion Miejski — Poznań
Referee:‬ C. Çakιr‎
Attendance:‬ 38794‎
 
35′ Antonio Cassano
 
90′ Mario Balotelli
 

Italy - Ireland Preview: Three points or bust for the Azzurri

Cesare Prandelli's men need a win and must hope that the clash between Spain and Croatia does not end in a 2-2 draw or higher in order to progress to the quarter-finals

More On :  Italy, Republic of Ireland, Robbie Keane, Andrea Pirlo, Italy vs Republic of Ireland
Italy celebrating
Getty Images
  PROBABLE LINE-UPS

ITALY

Buffon
Maggio, Bonucci, Barzagli, Chiellini
De Rossi
Marchisio, Pirlo, Giaccherini
Di Natale, Cassano
IRELAND

Given
O'Shea, Dunne, St Ledger, Ward
Duff, Andrews, Whelan, McGeady
Keane, Long

Italy boss Cesare Prandelli will be keen to welcome back Andrea Barzagli into the mix after the Juventus defender missed the first two games of the tournament with a thigh injury. Prandelli will likely revert back to a four-man defence, should the centre-back passe a late fitness test.

Mario Balotelli limped out of Saturday's training session with a knee problem and will undergo further tests to determine the extent of his injury. If the Manchester City man is not passed fit then Antonio Di Natale will likely be given the nod up front alongside Antonio Cassano.

Meanwhile, Ireland have already been eliminated from the tournament following their sorry showing in the 4-0 loss to Spain on Thursday and will have only pride to play for.

Goalkeeper Shay Given could make his final appearance for the Boys in Green on Monday after admitting that he is contemplating retirement from international football.

  DID YOU KNOW?
  • Italy are undefeated in 12 competitive matches under Cesare Prandelli (W8 D4).
  • The Azzurri have held leads in their opening two Euro 2012 encounters only to concede in the second half of both games.
  • Maggio, Balotelli, Chiellini, Bonucci, and Montolivo are all one booking away from a ban.

  • La Nazionale have only lost twice to the Irish in their last 11 matches (W7 D2 L2).
  • Ireland have been outscored 7-1 in their first two games of the tournament.
  • Damien Duff is set to make his 100 appearance for the national team on Monday in Poznan.
  • Trapattoni previously coached Italy at Euro 2004 where his team was knocked out in the group stage despite not losing a game (W1 D2).

  • James McClean made his competitive debut for the Boys in Green when he came off the bench in the 76th minute against Spain.

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Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
  • Italy 2-0 Republic of Ireland
    24.89 %
  • Italy 3-0 Republic of Ireland
    19.94 %
  • Italy 2-1 Republic of Ireland
    9.63 %
Head to Head
Euro 2012 ‎(EC)‎ 19/06/2012 Italy 2 - Republic of Ireland 0
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International Friendlies ‎(FR)‎ 08/06/2011 Italy 0 - Republic of Ireland 2
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World Cup Qualification 2014 (Europe) ‎(WCQE)‎ 11/10/2009 Republic of Ireland 2 - Italy 2
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World Cup Qualification 2014 (Europe) ‎(WCQE)‎ 02/04/2009 Italy 1 - Republic of Ireland 1
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27/03/2013Malta 0 - Italy 2WCQE
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17/10/2012Italy 3 - Denmark 1WCQE
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23/03/2013Sweden 0 - Republic of Ireland 0WCQE
07/02/2013Republic of Ireland 2 - Poland 0FR
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Odds
Team News
Available Squads
1Gianluigi BuffonGoalkeeper
3Giorgio ChielliniDefender
-Federico Balzaretti
-Ignazio AbateDefender
15Andrea BarzagliDefender
-Thiago Motta
8Claudio MarchisioMidfielder
16Daniele De RossiMidfielder
21Andrea PirloMidfielder
-Antonio Cassano
-Antonio Di Natale
14Salvatore SiriguGoalkeeper
12Morgan De SanctisGoalkeeper
-Angelo Obinze Ogbonna
19Leonardo BonucciDefender
2Christian MaggioMidfielder
13Emanuele GiaccheriniMidfielder
18Riccardo MontolivoMidfielder
-Antonio Nocerino
9Mario BalotelliStriker
-Fabio Borini
10Sebastian GiovincoStriker
22Alessandro DiamantiMidfielder
-Shay Given
2Sean St LedgerDefender
-Stephen Ward
4John O'SheaDefender
-Richard Dunne
6Glenn WhelanMidfielder
-Aiden McGeady
-Keith Andrews
-Damien Duff
9Kevin DoyleStriker
10Robbie KeaneStriker
16Keiren WestwoodGoalkeeper
23David FordeGoalkeeper
12Stephen KellyDefender
-Paul McShane
18Darren O'DeaDefender
-Darron Gibson
-Stephen Hunt
21Paul GreenMidfielder
22James McCleanMidfielder
14Jonathan WaltersStriker
19Shane LongStriker
20Simon CoxStriker
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