The Italians booked a place in the knock-out stages thanks to a 1-0 win over Sweden and it appears Conte will give players who have not been able to get minutes under their belt so far a chance on Wednesday when Ireland face his team.
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However, if they are unable to secure victory then the final match will prove crucial and Conte admitting he is planning to shuffle his pack for the match will be a boost to Martin O’Neill and his players. Eder took his goal really well but no real threat.
Marco Parolo had hit the bar from close range after a wonderful ball from Emanuele Giaccherini with eight minutes to go.
They had beaten World No. 2 Belgium – the highest ranked team in the tournament – 2-0 in the first match of their campaign.
Sweden made three changes to the side that drew with Ireland in Paris on Monday. “I am getting better with every year that passes”, he said when asked about his age.
Friday’s result leaves Sweden in an uncomfortable position with one point after two games ahead of their final group clash against Belgium next week.
The Azzuri have proven that their opening victory against the Belgian’s was no fluke, after a late goal from Eder stole all three points from Sweden.
No surprises up front for Sweden, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic leading the attack against Italy in Toulouse.
Despite Italy’s second win, Brady wasn’t impressed with the performance against Sweden.
“Against a team like Italy you need to be focused for 90 minutes”.
A tight first half saw few chances at either end as Italy’s formidable three-man defence of Andre Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci and Chiellini kept Ibrahimovic in check, whilst Pelle and Eder failed to shine on their few real forays up the park.
In Toulouse, France, the Brazilian-born striker curled the ball into the bottom right corner in the 88th minute after substitute Simone Zaza headed on a long throw-in from Giorgio Chiellini.
Ibrahimovic, then 22 and playing at his first European Championship, got there before him and volleyed the ball with his heel, over an Italian player standing on the line and into the net for a late equaliser.
“Who would’ve expected that after two games Italy would qualify for the Round of 16?” Erik Hamren’s side are yet to muster a single shot on target at Euro 2016, and this time there was no moment of magic from their talisman. We should be very pleased.
“It’s not just Eder”, Conte told the post-match news conference on Friday.
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And although he said he relished the chance to play against some former teammates and rivals from Serie A, former Juventus, Inter Milan and AC Milan striker Ibrahimovic cut a dejected figure after the game.
