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Republic of Ireland boss Martin O'Neill expecting a Belgium backlash

RUMOURS of discontent in the Belgium camp swirled around while Italy were grabbing a late winner against Sweden to book their place in the knockout stages.

Those developments made yesterday a good one for the Republic of Ireland, but they can make today even better.

Eder’s late goal sent Italy through to the knock-out stage with six points already in the bag and the hope is now that manager Antonio Conte will give his reserves a run out against Ireland in Lille next Wednesday.

But Ireland can give themselves a great chance of qualifying before their final game if they can see off a ‘Red Devils’ outfit that lost 2-0 to Italy in their opener and has been in some turmoil since.

After the defeat, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois claimed manager Marc Wilmots had been “tactically outclassed” while midfielder Radja Nainggolan was pictured gesturing behind his manager’s back after he was substituted.

There are also rumours that the Belgian players refer to their manager as ‘Moi je’ because of his habit of talking about his own exploits as a player – he scored 28 goals in 70 appearances for Belgium.

But at yesterday’s pre-game press conference Wilmots denied he had lost control of his squad, claiming: “I’m the man in charge. I make the decisions.”

He claimed the rumours were part of the “football circus” and said Manchester City star Kevin DeBruyne would be fit for the game.

“He trained well yesterday, there’s no issue with Kevin DeBruyne,” said Wilmots.

Goalkeeper Courtois sat next to Wilmots at yesterday’s briefing. He expects Belgium to bounce back from their early loss.

“It will be a hard game but if we play well we should win and we have to win,” he said.

Courtois picked out Shane Long – who scored against the Chelsea ’keeper in the Premier League last season - as the dangerman in the Ireland side.

“The first time you see Shane Long he’s a short striker,” he said.

“But he’s good in the air, he’s dangerous, he’s quick, he’s got good feet and he scores goal. It’s hard to compare Romelu Lukaku and Christian Benteke, but I think he is at the same level.”

Thibaut Courtois played down any tension in the Belgium camp after his comments following Italy game, via @corktod.https://t.co/0Jb2vZTYkN — RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) June 17, 2016

Meanwhile, Ireland manager Martin O’Neill rejected talk of Belgian disharmony having a bearing on today’s game. 

“I don’t know about that,” he said.

“There’s talk about friction in the camp when they lose to Italy but Italy are a top class side, they’re a tournament team.

“I think Belgium will be up for the games. They lost that match against Italy but they’ll be raring to go again and we are as well.”

With Jon Walters out injured, O’Neill has to make at least one change. He came with four recognised strikers and Long will definitely play so that leaves 35-year-old Robbie Keane and Daryl Murphy, who has yet to score at international level, in reserve.

Walters’ role in the side was to support Long and get up and down the right wing and the best option to replace him is James McClean.

Derry’s McClean is a left winger first and foremost but he has played on the right for Ireland and his workrate and aggression would make him a handful up front where he could create something for Long

Otherwise it’s hard to see O’Neill tinkering with the side that started against Sweden. The defence did well, the midfield was solid and in control for large swathes of the game. While he wasn’t critical of him, Roy Keane has since referred to Wes Hoolahan’s contribution when Ireland don’t have the ball, but the Norwich City player offers so much when he has it – the goal against Sweden for example – that leaving him out is unthinkable.

Hoolahan provides the art while defensive midfielder Glenn Whelan provides the heart and he will also be an important player today.

The Stoke City man saw more of the ball against Sweden than any other Republic player and invariably passed it someone in a green shirt. He has to do the same against Belgium because the key to getting something out of this game, as simple as it sounds, is denying ‘the Red Devils’ the ball.

Belgium like to have possession so they can control the pace and, if they can do that, they have the players to win this game.

Italy denied them that and were able to isolate Romelu Lukaku who may be dropped to the bench for today’s game. Meanwhile, De Bruyne was a peripheral figure against Italy and Hazard hasn’t found the spark that made him the best player in the Premier League a couple of seasons ago.

While Ireland won’t tamper too much with their personnel, Wilmots may make wield the axe. Against Italy, Belgium played with workers Marouane Fellaini, Nainggolan and Alex Witsel in midfield, but the more creative Mousa Dembele and Yannick Ferreira Carrasco could start tonight with De Bruyne used in central midfield and Benteke coming in for Lukaku.

Belgium haven’t clicked individually or collectively and their manager is under pressure but they are still a top class side and, while all the peripheral commotion may level the playing field, it’s hard to make a case for the Republic starting as favourites this afternoon.

After all, Ireland have one win in their previous seven European Championship games and haven’t won at a major tournament since beating Saudi Arabia 3-0 in Japan back in 2002.

Sweden were there for the taking on Monday, but Ireland couldn’t force a win and this should be a much tougher test. However, the Boys in Green are playing with confidence and style and they should be able to force another draw to set up a high-stakes shoot-out against Italy in Lille in their final group game.