After a week of pulsating action, all 24 teams competing at UEFA Euro 2016 will be wrapping up their respective group stage campaigns over the course of this week. Some, like Italy, have already sealed their spot in the round of 16, and now are just looking to finish top of their group. Others, like the Republic of Ireland are in a win-or-go-home situation and must pick up a victory in order to have any shot at making it to the next round.
Italy
Without the services of key midfielders Claudio Marchisio and Marco Verratti due to injury, as well as Andrea Pirlo after Antonio Conte opted to leave him out, many had written Italy off before this tournament kicked off. After all, despite their impressive defense, the Azzurri did not have any strikers of note within their ranks, and some doubted their chances at faring well at this summer's big event.
However, back in 2012, the same was said of the Italians and they made it to the final. So far, Italy have been quite solid in their first two matches. Against Belgium, a team that most pundits thought would have the upper hand, it was the Azzurri who were the much better side as they outplayed the Red Devils to pick up a 2-0 win. And in their last match against Sweden, they managed to frustrate Zlatan Ibrahimovic and finally break the deadlock with a very late goal, courtesy of Inter striker Eder.
Brazilian striker Eder celebrates netting his first Euro goal that put Italy ahead late in the match against Sweden
With six points out of six, three goals scored, and none conceded, Italy are in cruise control. All that's needed is to earn at least a draw, and Conte's men will finish as group winners heading into the round of 16. As such, the ex-Juventus boss could opt to rotate his squad - both to give some second-string players a run-out whilst dealing with some likely absences of key personnel.
For instance, captain Gianluigi Buffon will likely not feature after missing out on training due to a fever, whilst Antonio Candreva is struggling with a hamstring complaint and is another who will be rested for this game. PSG's Salvatore Sirigu, then, could replace him between the sticks. Meanwhile, Buffon's Bianconeri colleague Simone Zaza, who has not featured much, could be deployed in lieu of Southampton's Graziano Pelle.
Republic of Ireland
It goes without saying that Martin O’Neill's troops have endured a miserable time at UEFA Euro 2016. The Green Army were unlucky to see their win over Sweden turned into a draw after an unfortunate own goal by Ciarán Clark, who turned Zlatan Ibrahimovic's cross into his own net. Against Belgium, they started out well for the first 45, but once the Red Devils cranked things up a notch in the second half, O'Neill's side were no match.
Southampton striker Shane Long shows his dejection after having to settle for a draw against Sweden on matchday one
By the time the dust settled, they were on the wrong side of a 3-0 score-line and now will have to overcome a long record of disappointing results against Italy to keep their progression hopes alive. Due to their bad showings, both Clark and James McCarthy could be benched for this match - especially as their errors directly contributed to all of Ireland's four conceded goals so far.
Wes Hoolahan is one who could miss out due to muscular fatigue, and it remains to be seen if veteran striker Jonathan Walters will be fit enough to feature. All in all, O'Neill will obviously have to get his tactical selections perfect for this one - especially given that Italy really will be quite happy with a draw.
For Ireland, of course, a draw will not be enough to prevent them from crashing out of the group stages for the second time in a row. All in all, if the Green Army wish to make it to the knockout round for the first time ever, everything will have to go their way at the Stade Pierre Mauroy this Wednesday.
Which channel is broadcasting Italy vs Republic of Ireland on TV or Online?
Not able to make it to the Stade Pierre Mauroy? No problem. LiveSoccerTV.com has put together options to tune in via TV, computer, phone, or tablet.
Here are all the choices for fans residing elsewhere in France and in the following countries:
- In the USA at 15.00 EST on: ESPN, WATCH ESPN, SiriusXM FC, ESPN3 USA, ESPN Xtra, ESPN Deportes TV, ESPN Deportes Radio
- In Italy at 21.00 CET on: RAI Uno, RSI La 2, Sky Sport 1 HD Italia, SKY Go Italia
- In the Republic of Ireland at 20.00 BST on: BBC Radio 5 Live, TalkSport Radio UK, The ITV Hub, STV Scotland, ITV 1 UK, RTE 2
- In France at 21.00 CET on: beIN Sports 1, beIN Sports 3, beIN SPORTS CONNECT France
- In the UK at 20.00 BST on: TalkSport Radio UK, STV Scotland, ITV 1 UK, BBC Radio 5 Live, The ITV Hub
- In Canada at 15.00 ET on: TSN5, TLN, TSN4, RDS
Live elsewhere? Check out our speical Italy vs Republic of Ireland broadcast page for viewing times and options for your current location.
*Note: Live broadcast data is subject to change*
Italy vs Republic of Ireland - Facts & Stats
- Ireland have only beaten Italy once in competitive fixtures, whilst losing four and drawing twice
- During qualifying for the 2010 World Cup, Italy and Ireland ended up drawing both games
- Ireland's sole competitive victory over Italy was on June 18, 1994 - a 1-0 win during the 1994 World Cup
- This is their third (and second consecutive) meeting with Italy at a Euro tournament. Back in 2012, also in the group stages, the Azzurri edged them out 2-0 courtesy of goals from Antonio Cassano and Mario Balotelli. Neither of those two strikers are in the squad this time around
- Will Ireland end up winning 1-0? Well, their four most famous wins in competitive matches have been by that same score-line (with the exception of a PK shootout win over Romania in the 1990 World Cup)
- Those wins were against England (Euro 1998), Italy (World Cuo 1994), Netherlands (WC qualifying, 2001) and Germany (Euro 2016 qualifying, 2015)
- Ireland have only scored more than once during a tournament match in their entire history - a 3-0 rout of lowly Saudi Arabia in the 2002 World Cup
Match details, result and original broadcast info
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