Daniele de Rossi on why Italy owe Ireland absolutely no favours

Daniele de Rossi has not forgotten.

The Roma midfielder has not forgotten the boot Glenn Whelan left in on him, nor has he forgotten the crunching tackle delivered by Keith Andrews. On June 18, 2012 Italy faced Ireland at the Euros. We could only cast jealous glances at Italy's two points from two games after receiving shellackings from Croatia and Spain. This was Ireland, though, and they were not rolling over for anybody. They gave as good as they got for 35 minutes. Then Antonio Cassano scored. Then they gave it some more. Andrews was sent off for his second yellow and Mario Balotelli rubbed Irish faces in it with a 90th minute exclamation point. Two days out from another Euros encounter with Ireland, de Rossi recalled how Italy were not given a quarter of an inch by a team playing for pride and nothing else. He told reporters:

"The Ireland game is far from pointless. We have not even thought about who we may face in the next round but it is important to finish this group with nine points. It will give us more confidence going up against a team that finished lower. "Footballers are a little bit selfish but we enjoy winning as a team. "Ireland were very motivated, and physical. In 2012 they gave everything even though they had no chance to go through. We will not be giving them any gifts."

Ominous words from the veteran midfielder. Italy also have a score to settle with Sweden. Back in 2004, Italy finished their group on five points but were still eliminated when the Swedes, quite conveniently, got the exact 2-2 draw they needed for them and Denmark [their opponents that day] to progress to the quarter finals. Nothing would please Italy more than to finish on the maximum points and look at Sweden from on high.