Belgium’s victory moves them to second place on three points while Ireland and Sweden have one each.
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“We saw the pitch didn’t look that great but it’s going to be the same for the Italians as it is for ourselves so that makes it a level playing field”, Ireland left-back Stephen Ward said on Monday as he spoke to reporters alongside teammate Wes Hoolahan.
He said: “Italy, regardless of the changes in the team, will be very unsafe because they are Italy and the players who are coming into the squad actually come from Roma, AC Milan, big places, so these players are top quality players and we have to be ready for that and we think that we are”.
We have now had two ideal examples of that in the space of two games in this competition.
That left them facing a trip to Lille knowing they will have to pull off one of the biggest results in the nation’s footballing history if they are to extend their stay in France.
But Ireland could also take that spot behind Italy if they win and pip Sweden on goal difference.
The League of Ireland was in the spotlight for good reason last week, when the FAI organised a photoshoot at Versailles of the eight ex-League players in the Euro 2016 squad, writes Ciarán Ó Raghallaigh.
Asked about Tardelli’s remarks, O’Neill said: “I think that Marco is entitled to his opinion”, while full-back Seamus Coleman added: “I’m not really bothered what Marco thinks”.
After a poor start to the European Championship, Belgium began living up to its promise Saturday with a resounding 3-0 victory over Ireland at Bordeaux, France. “We’ll have to be at our very, very best but we’ve beaten Italy before, so it can be done”.
Erik Hamren’s team rescued a draw in their first game before falling to a last gasp Eder strike against Italy to leave their hopes hanging by a thread. I think that there’ll be goals in this game, but having tipped this to be Group E’s top scoring match in my Group Preview at [5.0], there’s no real need to get involved again. It’s not just a case of keeping 10 men behind the ball, we did that.
The Everton defender said: “We don’t have to look too far back”.
Sweden could be without Celtic right-back Mikael Lustig, who picked up a groin strain during their opening day draw against Ireland and is still not fully fit.
Has this Ireland team finally softened Roy Keane?
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Nor can they expect any favours from Italy, with Azzurri midfielder Marco Parolo telling the Irish they won’t be taking it easy on them. We’ve already come first, but it’s a big game. The result became even more remarkable with the benefit of hindsight, as Italy would make the final, where they lost to Brazil.
