Trapattoni has released Keane, Given, Kilbane, O'Shea and Fahey from the squad for Tuesday's friendly. It also seems certain that Long and Keogh will start up front. Presumably Forde will start the game in goal (he was the nominated sub yesterday).
Live coverage starts on Sky Sports 1 at 7.30pm and TG4 will have delayed coverage of the game in full at 10.30pm (as Gaeilge presumably)
Italy squad is as follows:
Goalkeepers:
Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus)
Salvatore Sirigu (Palermo)
Emiliano Viviano (Bologna)
Defenders:
Davide Astori (Cagliari)
Federico Balzaretti (Palermo)
Mattia Cassani (Palermo)
Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus)
Domenico Criscito (Genoa)
Alessandro Gamberini (Fiorentina)
Christian Maggio (Napoli)
Andrea Ranocchia (Inter Milan)
Midfielders:
Alberto Aquilani (Juventus)
Claudio Marchisio (Juventus)
Riccardo Montolivo (Fiorentina)
Thiago Motta (Inter)
Antonio Nocerino (Palermo)
Angelo Palombo (Sampdoria)
Andrea Pirlo (AC Milan)
Forwards:
Mario Balotelli (Manchester City)
Antonio Cassano (Milan)
Alberto Gilardino (Fiorentina)
Sebastian Giovinco (Parma)
Alessandro Matri (Juventus)
Giampaolo Pazzini (Inter)
Giuseppe Rossi (Villarreal)
Aquilani has pulled out, however, with a head injury: http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3284/...-face-republic
Strong squad. We could be doing well not to get beat by a couple.
Possible team:
----------------Forde--------------
Foley---Kelly-----------O'Dea---Ward
Coleman---Whelan---Andrews---Hunt
--------Cox--------Long------------
McGeady looked a bit tired so not sure he'll start. Who left over? Lawrence, Delaney, Sledge, Murphy, Keogh, McShane...
Didn't realise TG4 were showing the game in full (albeit delayed coverage), cheers for the info!
This seems to be what's left of the squad anyway. Keogh is confirmed as starting up front instead of Cox. Think that's the only part of the team announced so far.Quote:
Originally Posted by SwanVsDalton
Can't see beyond an Italian win given those squads. Although I think I heard that Balotelli is injured.
RTE say O'Shea's wife is expecting a baby. Perfect timing from John. He has his priorities in order.
The FAI team doctor is examining the ultrasound as we speak. Big trouble on the horizon for John if nothing is found.Quote:
Originally Posted by geysir
Five leave Ireland squad ahead of Italy
Fair play to 'em.Quote:
"Aiden McGeady and Stephen Hunt were given the option of leaving early but both refused. It’s a mark of the commitment of the former, considering his club Spartak Moscow are in action at the weekend".
Good to see Given and particularly Kilbane doing coaching courses too.
Just flashed up on Sky Sports News that Keane's out with a groin injury.
It's the new excuse.
'Not tonight dear, it's my groin'.
Wouldn't actually mind seeing something like either of these:
------------Forde-------------
Foley --- Sledge --- Delaney --- Ward
Coleman - Whelan - Andrews - McGeady
Long ---- Cox
Forde
Coleman - Sledge - Delaney- Ward
Lawrence- Whelan- Foley- McGeady
Long - Cox
Quote:
Originally Posted by geysir
That should dispel a few rumours about John O'Shea's sexuality!
Not convinced, since the rumours ploughed on regardless of the fact he's married. He's pretty relaxed about it though - read an interview with him in Football Punk and the writer asked him straight up (excuse the pun) and he said it didn't bother him though he decidedly ain't.Quote:
Originally Posted by French Toasht
Italy at near full strength for this game which should set the alarm bells ringing.
I presume Trapattoni will seek to rest as many players as possible from Saturday night's game. Possible line-up could be;
Forde;
McShane, St Ledger, Delaney, Ward;
Coleman, Foley, Whelan/Andrews/Lawrence, Treacy;
Long, Keogh.
Have Italy regrouped after South Africa and started putting a decent looking side together again? That's the impression I get.
I am really looking forward to this game. I was hoping to go over but I have a "can't miss" appointment tomorrow pm. It's nice to be totally relaxed waiting for an Ireland game and I'm setting the bar low in terms of expectation. If a few of the fringe players can impress then it'd be very welcome.
McGeady recalled by his club, FAI can't stop out since it's a friendly, Treacy to start on the left so?
Fair play to McGeady to wanting to stay on. I hope we don't get a caning.....Italy from the reports I have been reading are now starting to play like Spain?! Lots and lots of passing.
McDonnell in the Indo understands that Long and Keogh will start, leaving Cox and Hunt as subs.
Italian coach Cesare Prandelli has paid a warm tribute to Trapattoni. "He's in a league of his own, there's no comparison," said Prandelli.
"He'll give me some advice -- he was one of the first to call me when I accepted this job."