Italy V Republic of Ireland - Wednesday, 23rd June 2016 - Euro 2016 Group E

[backstothewall]

This comes from a assortment of sources but the consensus seems to be that Candreva is injured and Buffon has flu. De Rossi likely to be given the night off to recover for the Spain game. Most or all of the Juventus back 3 to be rotated.

Edit: The roof will be closed. I also just found this...

When Antonio Conte sends out his Italy side to face the Republic of Ireland on Wednesday, he may well have just two holdovers from the Azzurri's last game: Alessandro Florenzi and Andrea Barzagli.

Italy have already mathematically clinched first place in Group E, so you can see his logic. He's dropping five guys (Gigi Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci, Eder and Daniele De Rossi) who are one yellow card away from a suspension, plus another, Antonio Candreva, who picked up a knock and probably would not have been able to play anyway. That's already six.

Center-forward Graziano Pelle is also destined for a rest, since Conte sees his strikers as pretty much interchangeable, and with Eder out, Conte wants to see what Ciro Immobile and Simone Zaza can do. The other two getting a breather are his central midfielders, Emanuele Giaccherini and Marco Parolo, who could use it after playing 180 minutes. (And not just any 180 minutes, but 180 minutes of Conte-brand football: Despite being one of the oldest squads in the tournament, Italy are among those who have covered the greatest distance.)

[Lionel Ritchie]

I feel like something bad is happening. Is there breaking news? Any leaks on the Italian team?

Ireland's odds are drifting out this morning from 3.3 to 3.5 and 3.6 in places now in the last 30 mins.

You're spending too much time in the bookies David. Work on that. ;-)

[BonnieShels]

I feel like something bad is happening. Is there breaking news? Any leaks on the Italian team?

Ireland's odds are drifting out this morning from 3.3 to 3.5 and 3.6 in places now in the last 30 mins.

That's my favourite piece of Irish Team based paranoia in a long long long time.

[Stuttgart88]

acc to La Gazetta only Florenzi remains from Sweden game

[thischarmingman]

The RTE montage:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kH5kjzShHG4

Get in.

[DannyInvincible]

A photo of tonight's kits has been posted by the FAI on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/BG9kGieBHlD/

What I found interesting is that the keeper jersey is #1, which is Westwood's number. An indication he may be starting or would it just be a stock jersey?

[SkStu]

Im sick to my stomach in anticipation...

[Stuttgart88]

It's absolutely baking here at the stadium, no idea why roof would be closed at this point.

[texidub]

Why do I do this to myself every time?

Where does this endless pool of hope come from?

[SwanVsDalton]

A photo of tonight's kits has been posted by the FAI on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/BG9kGieBHlD/

What I found interesting is that the keeper jersey is #1, which is Westwood's number. An indication he may be starting or would it just be a stock jersey?

Not sure. The shorts of the outfield kits don't have the same numbers as the jerseys so probably not much to be read into it. Also number 14 is Walters' jersey...

Quite annoyed we're not wearing green.

[DannyInvincible]

We're the "away" team, according to the fixture list, so no chance we'd be allowed to wear green with Italy wearing blue as the "home" team. It was announced a few weeks ago that we'd be wearing white for the Belgium and Italy games. There's probably some commercial agreement in place there with Umbro too.

[SwanVsDalton]

We're the "away" team, according to the fixture list, so no chance we'd be allowed to wear green with Italy wearing blue as the "home" team. It was announced a few weeks ago that we'd be wearing white for the Belgium and Italy games. There's probably some commercial agreement in place there with Umbro too.

I know. But I still find it really aggravating. Don't remember the Italians complaining when we wore green in '94 and I don't really care about shirt sales. I like us to wear green in big games, irrational need or not, and there's no compelling need for us not to except modern football's need for lots of little, pointless rules.

EDIT - Just realised Italy wore white in '94, but I DON'T CARE ALRIGHT I WANT GREEN.

[SwanVsDalton]

Team announced, four changes - O'Shea, Clark, Whelan and Hoolahan out. Duffy, Keogh, Murphy and McClean in.

That's bold enough.

Full team, just a guess at the formation.

----------Randolph-----------
Coleman-Duffy-Keogh---Ward
-------McCarthy--Hendrick---
--------------Brady-------------
Long-----Murphy------McClean

[SkStu]

I'm even sicker now...

[tricky_colour]

Can't say i am optimistic, the bookies say 5/2 I am thinking more 10-1 or more woudl be fairer odds!


But...... you never know.

Breaking news.... England to play Iceland! ( they will no doubt get beat. I wanna see the odds there!)

[tricky_colour]

Let's get positive, I sense a Murphy hat-trick!!

[tricky_colour]

Where is Whelan?

----------Randolph-----------
Coleman-Duffy-Keogh---Ward
-------McCarthy--Hendrick---
--------------Brady-------------
Long-----Murphy------McClean

[SwanVsDalton]

Where is Whelan?

----------Randolph-----------
Coleman-Duffy-Keogh---Ward
-------McCarthy--Hendrick---
--------------Brady-------------
Long-----Murphy------McClean

I know Tricky, I'm a bit bereft too. A fit Glenn Whelan has been left out of the team. On purpose. Apocolypse now.

[tricky_colour]

It is a travesty we could lose by 5 or more. Mark my words.

[DeLorean]

Happy with the faith showed in McCarthy. Think I would have only changed one of the centre backs, probably Duffy for Clark.