Italian football not in great shape, says Brady

Liam Brady says that Italian football is "not in great shape at the moment" despite their positive start to Euro 2016.

Having lost to Belgium and drawn with Sweden, the Republic of Ireland need to win their Group E encounter with Italy in order to boost their chances of making the last 16 of the tournament.

And Brady, who played in Italy for Juventus, Inter Milan, Sampdoria and Ascoli, believes that Martin O'Neill's team have a "big chance" against the Azzurri.

"I think Martin O'Neill will freshen things up a bit. I think we'll see three or four players come into the team," the former Ireland international said, speaking as a pundit on RTE.

"[Italy] will be fresh as well. They're going to make eight changes apparently. But Italian football is not in great shape at the moment, particularly offensively. 

"It won't be as good a team as we could have been playing, if the Italians needed the points. So that gives [Ireland] a big chance to get a win and go further in the competition."

Meanwhile, Brady does not believe that Robbie Keane will start the game, but acknowledged that O'Neill possesses a proven goalscorer in the LA Galaxy striker.

"I doubt that [Keane will start] but I do think he'll have a role to play," added the former Arsenal midfielder.

"If we need a goal, there's no better man to have. If we can give him the chance, he can finish. He's shown that time and time again."