It could’ve been better.
The Republic of Ireland would have been more confident of progressing from Groups A, B and F, than the situation they’re currently faced with.
As bottom seeds it was never going to be easy, but it’s fair to say Martin O’Neill would rather pit his team against France, Romania and Switzerland, or England, Slovakia and Russia, or Portugal, Austria and Hungary, than Belgium, Italy and Sweden.
However, Euro 2016 Group E isn’t the ‘Group of Death’ some have made it out to be. That dubious title definitely belongs to Group D, which features Spain, Czech Republic, Croatia and Turkey.
It’s also very difficult not to feel sympathy for Northern Ireland being drawn alongside Poland, Germany and Ukraine.
There are reasons for optimism, other than the obvious one being that we’re not Scotland, and this time five months ago it looked as though Ireland would miss out on the biggest European Championships ever.
Ireland’s opponents have obvious strengths, but there are reasons for optimism.
Here’s the lowdown on Sweden, Belgium and Italy.
Sweden
World Ranking: 35
Star player: If you haven’t guessed this yet then finish this sentence and see yourself out.
Not only is Zlatan Ibrahimovic Sweden’s star player, but it could be argued that the Paris Saint-Germain striker is their only player.
The Scandinavians would certainly not be at the tournament were it not for their talisman, who scored three goals in the play-offs and 11 in total over the campaign.
https://twitter.com/framenguiista/status/673550249672187905
Ibrahimovic is 34 years old but still capable of moments of genius, as the play-off against Denmark showed. Sweden will most likely play a 4-4-2 formation, with Zlatan the deep-lying forward.
Manager: Erik Hamren
The 57-year-old has been Sweden manager since 2009, and has a win percentage of 58.11% over 74 games.
Reasons for optimism:
Sweden are, with the exception of Zlatan, a limited team, and even their captain is capable of an off-day. Some of their better known players, such as Kim Källström and Seb Larsson, are the wrong side of 30, and one would have to imagine the energy and guile of players like James McCarthy and Robbie Brady would be too much for this pair.
Ireland’s energetic midfielders should be capable of overloading Sweden’s two-man central midfield.
Hoolahan’s work-rate is, like the player himself until a few years ago, underrated. He performed a valuable task against Bosnia and Germany aiding Ireland’s central midfield, and a similar role against Sweden could see Zlatan get frustrated and drop deeper and deeper looking to affect the game.
The further he’s away from Ireland’s goal, the better.
Sweden also lost 4-1 to Austria in qualifying. The Austrians are a talented side, but one can’t imagine O’Neill’s side losing by such a scoreline.
Ireland’s previous inability to win must-win games, which arguably stretched back to Brian Kerr’s tenure, has been lifted. The team needed to beat Germany, and they did. They needed to beat Bosnia, and they did.
Are Sweden really any better than Bosnia?
There’s plenty to be positive about regarding the game on June 13th.
Reasons for pessimism:
One word: Zlatan. He’ll be the only world class player on show in the game in Paris next summer. Albeit one who’s best days are behind him.
No-one tell him that though, it’s best not to anger him, as Denmark learned.
If they were a Premier League, who would they be?
A less-direct West Brom. If they had Ibrahimovic.
Overall, this is a must-win game for both teams, a win and they’re almost in the knock-out stages.
Belgium
World Ranking: 1
Star player: Take your pick. Eden Hazard? Kevin De Bruyne? Both scored five goals in qualifying.
Manager: Marc Wilmots.
A former Belgian international, and part of the team which denied Ireland a place at the 1998 World Cup, Wilmots has been in charge since 2012 and received criticism over his tactics at the last World Cup.
He expects ‘a lot of long balls; a direct game’ from Ireland.
Reasons for optimism:
Football writer Michael Cox possibly summed up Belgium best, claiming they’re “weaker than the sum of their parts”. Despite being spoiled with a host of talented players, and Marouane Fellaini, Belgium are prone to slipping up against lesser sides.
They sleepwalked their way to the World Cup quarter-finals, struggling to overcome the hard working, but limited, United States team, and also lost to Wales in qualifying for this tournament.
Ireland don’t have a player like Gareth Bale, but Ireland’s performances against Germany should be cause for optimism. Ireland were disciplined throughout against a team with superior talent who dominated possession, holding their shape, and posing something of a threat on the counter-attack.
Belgium are also unbalanced at the back, with Spurs central defensive duo Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld playing at full-back.
Reasons for pessimism:
They’re ranked number one in the world, they’ve a host of brilliant, skilful players and they might need a win going into the game if their first game against Italy ends in a draw.
If they were a Premier League team, who would they be?
Undoubtedly Manchester City, and not just because two of their best players are Vincent Kompany and Kevin De Bruyne. Belgium have the individuals to dispatch most teams, and the talent to do it in a manner reminiscent of City at their best.
However, like Manuel Pellegrini, there are doubts over the tactical nous of Belgium’s manager, and both sides are capable of off-days, and unexpected losses.
Hopefully, for Ireland’s sake, June 18th in Bordeaux is one of those days.
Italy
World ranking: 15
Star Player:
There isn’t really one stand-out talent in the current Italy squad. The majestic Andrea Pirlo is, unfortunately for football, if not Ireland, in the twilight of his career and playing in MLS.
Mario Balotelli will be, judging by his manager’s comments, most likely watching the tournament at home. While Eder and Graziano Pelle aren’t of the same class as previous Italian strikers Roberto Baggio, Christian Vieri or even Luca Toni.
PSG midfielder Marco Verratti is an excellent young player, a brilliant passer, and capable of giving Ireland the run-around, but can be a bit indisciplined.
Manager: Antonio Conte
The 46 year old took charge of the Azzurri after the World Cup last summer, following his resignation as Juventus manager, where he’d achieved fantastic success.
Conte guided the Old Lady to three Serie A titles, their first since the Calciopoli scandal in 2006, and the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
He’ll most likely favour a 3-5-2 formation that proved successful with Juve.
Reasons for optimism:
Italy didn’t score a lot in qualifying, managing just two goals against cannon fodder Malta, and Southampton striker Pelle was top scorer with just three strikes.
They’ve also performed poorly in recent tournaments, exiting in the group stages of the past two World Cups.
By the standards of their great teams of the past, this Italian side is limited and unspectacular.
Reasons for pessimism:
They’re a well coached, tactically flexible experienced side, who don’t concede a lot of goals.
For all Shane Long’s undoubted qualities, the Juventus trio of Giorgio Chiellini, Andrea Barzagli and Leonardo Bonucci will prove tough to breach. As will their teammate Gianluigi Buffon.
They were unbeaten in qualifying and will most likely target a draw in their opening game against Belgium. Ireland will undoubtedly want to avoid going into the game in Lile, on June 22nd, needing a win against the Azzurri.
If they were a Premier League team, who would they be?
Manchester United. The current version of Italy, like United, are defensively solid, (at least Louis van Gaal’s side was until a week or two ago), lack incision up-front and are a bit immobile in midfield.
Neither are a patch on previous teams.
