Italy look set to ring the changes ahead of tonight’s game with Ireland, allowing the side that secured the group victory to rest ahead of the knock-out phase.
So here’s a look at the probable starting XI that will face Ireland as Martin O’Neill’s side look to join Antonio Conte’s Italy in the last 16.
Salvatore Sirigu The Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper will make a rare start for Italy in place of perennial number one Gianluigi Buffon. Sirigu is a decent shot stopper but Ireland will be hoping that he is not at his sharpest having come off a mixed season back at his club.
Angelo Ogbonna Expected to start in the heart of the Italian defence in place of Leonardo Bonucci. The West Ham centre-half took a while to settle in London but appears to have made a decent transformation in his first season with the Hammers. Should be a real asset when handling the Irish aggression but there is still a chance that coach Conte may not fully trust Ogbonna and stick with Bonucci.
Matteo Darmian The Manchester United defender will slot in on the left side of the back three to replace Giorgio Chiellini. Darmian might still feel a little aggrieved at not being an automatic choice, having performed so well in the qualifiers but will be looking to impress tonight with the Spanish knock-out clash to come. Darmian lacks the physical presence of Chiellini but will be strong on the ground and getting things going on the left flank as Italy break.
Andrea Barzagli The veteran defender is the one regular from the Juventus trio who is set to face Ireland as he has yet to pick up a yellow card at the tournament. The Juventus man turned 35 in May yet has just come off another excellent season in Turin. Barzagli will be key to this makeshift Italian side as he will read the game very well and dictate accordingly.
Thiago Motta One player really looking to impress tonight will be Thiago Motta, who sits behind Daniele Di Rossi in the pecking order. The PSG midfield lacks the warrior instincts of Di Rossi but will play a very composed game and will be instrumental when Italy are in possession.
Stefano Sturaro A real shock selection in this Italian squad, the young Juventus midfielder will get a chance to prove the naysayers wrong as he lines up in midfield alongside Motta and Alessandro Florenzi. Just one cap to his name coming into the tournament, the 23-year-old box-to-box style midfielder will be looking to repay the coach’s faith for taking him with the 23. Will bring essential energy to the midfield as Motta has often been criticised for his lack of pace.
Alessandro Florenzi The Roma defender will play in the midfield three for Italy today and is another that will be looking at the match as a chance to stake a claim in the side for Monday’s clash with Spain. Florenzi gives Conte options as a defender but making an impression in today’s midfield will be his best bet to future involvement.
Federico Bernardeschi The versatile midfielder look set to edge Milan’s Stephan El Sharawyout of tonight’s starting line-up. Bernardeschi often plays in the number 10 role at Fiorentina but will line out on the wing tonight. Despite only getting called into the Italy squad in March, Bernardeschi appears to have the full confidence of the manager and will prove a real threat cutting in from the right, unleashing with his left if he switches during the game with fellow wing-back Mattia De Sciglio. Bernardeschi will start on the left tonight.
Mattia De Sciglio Certain to replace key man Antonio Candreva on the right flank tonight as the Lazio midfielder has picked up a slight leg injury and will be rested. De Sciglio will be the more defensive of the two wide men and may spend a lot of time helping out the back three. A natural right back should the manager revert to a four-man defence.
Ciro Immobile The Torino frontman has made a real impression coming off the bench in Italy’s campaign at Euro 2016. Immobile really drives the team forward, running at players at pace and made a huge impact in the opening game against Belgium when an under-pressure Italy were holding on to a 1-0 lead against the attack-minded opponents. Immobile’s energy and attacking instincts helped the Azzurri double their lead in the closing moments and was unlucky not to get on the score sheet as his long-range effort stung the fingers of Thibaut Courtois
Simone Zaza The Juventus forward will partner Ciro Immobile in attack and has proved a real squad player for Conte throughout the qualifying campaign. Will get his chance to stake his place for future games but is likely to be comfortable playing the role of impact substitution for the remainder of Italy’s involvement.
Antonio Conte (coach) The Italy coach is on his way to Chelsea after the tournament but he appears to be still fully focused and immersed totally in the Italian job. Conte has worked wonders with this group of players, perfectly emphasised by the winning display against Belgium. Unlikely to give Ireland an easy ride tonight but will certainly have one eye on the tough clash with Spain that awaits in the round of 16.
Watch Italy v Republic of Ireland (8pm) on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player, listen live on Radio 1 or follow the liveblog on RTE.ie
