Euro 2016 Group E: Republic of Ireland v Italy (tonight, Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille, 8pm)
THE stage is set for a hero to emerge as the Republic of Ireland look to fight back from the brink of a Euro 2016 exit tonight.
The situation is crystal clear – Ireland needs to beat Italy or they are out. Nothing less than a three points will do and of course winning won’t be easy. How could it be?
The Azzuri and Spain are the only sides in this tournament with two wins and two clean sheets and though manager Antonio Conte is expected to make as many as nine changes, the feeling is that his squad is typically well drilled and will replace quality with quality in every position.
But tournament clashes between these nations have always been engrossing, tight and dramatic. In Rome back in the 1990 World Cup ‘Toto’ Schillaci pounced on a rebound with an eye-of-the-needle finish after Packie Bonner had spilt Roberto Donadoni’s stinging drive from the edge of the box.
Four years later in New Jersey, the Republic emerged with the 1-0 win after Ray Houghton’s audacious volley dipped over Gianluca Pagliuca and, with Paul McGrath outstanding, they held on for a famous victory. In their most recent competitive fixture, Italy had a comfortable 2-0 win in Poznan at Euro 2012.
The Republic were already eliminated before that game and Italy have already qualified for the last 16 so it will be up to Ireland to come out tonight and look to make the running. Manager Martin O’Neill says that’s exactly what they will do.
“It’s a matter of winning the game,” he said.
“If we do there’s a very decent chance that we’ll go through to the last 16 with four points. The players know what they have to do and they’re ready for it.
“It’s a case of being very, very strong to begin with and being fresh and alert and playing the game with a lot of energy.
“We have to be mindful of how decent the Italians are but we also have to remember what we can do and how we played against Sweden. Whatever comes, the players are ready for it.”
The Sweden draw was two points dropped that got away, but Ireland never looked like beating Belgium. The first half was difficult to watch from a Republic perspective and O’Neill is certain to make some changes tonight.
Ciaran Clark’s performance may mean he sits this one out with Shane Duffy coming in. Duffy’s inclusion would also be a positive move from an attacking perspective. The Derry man is dominant in his own box and is a potent threat from set-pieces too.
He and deadball specialist Robbie Brady combine well and in the pre-tournament friendly games Duffy continuously got on the end of Brady free-kicks and corners and they will probably be Ireland’s best source of goals.
James McCarthy was off the pace against ‘the Red Devils’ and he could also drop out tonight with Reading midfielder Stephen Quinn a possible replacement. Up front, Shane Long was hopelessly isolated in Bordeaux and needs help up front. With Jon Walters ruled out, Daryl Murphy may see his first action of the tournament alongside him.
Meanwhile, Italy manager Conte is expected to field virtually a new team but said: “We’re already through, but that doesn’t matter.
“What I try to explain to the players is you take one game at a time and winning breeds further victories. If were to lose tomorrow people would start having a go at us.”
With regular goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon carrying a yellow PSG goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu looks likely to get his first run of the tournament.
In defence, England-based Angelo Ogbonna (West Ham) and Matteo Darmian (Man Utd) come in for yellow-card carrying Juventus pair Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini. Only Andrea Barzagli is expected to remain from the much-vaunted regular back three.
On the wings, Stephan El Shaarawy and Mattia De Sciglio will replace Federico Bernardeschi and Lorenzo Insigne and in midfield Thiago Motta will be partnered by Stefano Sturaro of Juventus and Roma’s Alessandro Florenzi.
Up front, Ciro Immobile (Torino) and Simone Zaza (Juventus) come in for Pelle and Brazil-born Eder who got the later winner against Sweden.
The club names still resound, but they are not the powerhouses they once were. With all those changes there must be hope that the Italians will make a mistake here and there on the sodden Lille surface and that could open the door for the Republic.
Seamus Coleman hopes for a repeat of the dramatic 1-0 win over Germany last October. That unexpected victory has given the Republic players the belief that all things are possible.
“That night in Dublin, Shane Long’s goal was a memorable night for us all and we know that when it all clicks for us and we stick together for the 90 minutes and we don't lose concentration we are capable of beating big teams,” he said.
“I do genuinely believe that there's a big result left for us in this group.”
He added: “You look back over the years and you’ve seen players making names for themselves and making themselves heroes amongst the Irish fans,” he said.
“It’s obviously something that you dream about. That’s the end game and hopefully that will be the case. The full squad believes that we can get four points out of this group.”
On paper and on current form there can only be one winner tonight and that is Italy. But given the history between these sides another low-scoring game looks possible. If that’s the case the Republic will be in it right to the death and maybe that hero will rise and steal the show.
