Is this enough to topple Zlatan and Co?
It’s getting very tense now.
The rumours swirling around Paris where that Shane Duffy and Stephen Quinn were going to come into the Republic of Ireland team to take on Sweden as the Euro 2016 campaign gets underway here in Saint-Denis.
But O’Neill has gone with Ciaran Clark alongside John O’Shea at the back and stuck with Jeff Hendrick, who was a near constant presence in midfield towards the end of qualifying.
Martin O’Neill may not see this evening’s match as a “must-win” encounter but anything less than a point would leave Ireland with a mountain to climb to avoid being one of only eight teams not to qualify for the second round.
Thankfully Jon Walters is fit to start after recovering from an Achilles injury that had hampered his preparations. Alongside Shane Long and Wes Hoolahan, he will lead the Irish attack.
O’Neill appears to be persevering with the 4-4-2 diamond formation that served Ireland so well in the latter stages of qualifying, with Clark slotting into a back four alongside Seamus Coleman, captain John O’Shea and Robbie Brady.
The midfield, as always, is anchored by Glenn Whelan, with James McCarthy and Hendrick playing just behind Hoolahan.
BREAKING: The #IRL side to face Sweden has been named! #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/iEeRAGBrH8
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) June 13, 2016
