Italy are already through to the knockout stages of Euro 2016.
The Azzurri secured their passage with a 1-0 win over Sweden on Friday, following on from their 2-0 win a few days previous against Belgium. Meanwhile, Ireland sank to the bottom of Group E after a crushing 3-0 defeat to Belgium on Saturday.
Nothing less than an Ireland win against Italy will see Martin O’Neill’s side through to the last-16, and even then they’ll need other results to go their way.
There were little grounds for optimism following Saturday’s defeat, but Ireland’s task against Italy may not be as arduous now that the Italians are safely through and are set to make changes.
This is exactly what we wanted to hear https://t.co/ZUXfFdyfer #COYBIG
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) June 17, 2016
Italy manager Antonio Conte said after the Sweden victory that he would use the game against Ireland in Lille to give playing time to the fringe members of the squad.
Although Conte didn’t reveal which players he would rest, those who are on a yellow card, and thus another yellow card from suspension, offer the clearest indication into who will drop to the bench.
Italy defenders Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini are both another booking from suspension, as are Daniele De Rossi, Thiago Motta – who has yet to start a game in the tournament – and Eder, who scored the winner against Sweden.
Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is also another yellow card away from being suspended, but is arguably less likely than outfield players to pick up another caution, so will most likely still feature.
If a player picks up a yellow card in two separate games, they are suspended for the next match. Yellow cards expire when the tournament reaches the semi-final stages.
