Martin O’Neill’s team selection is difficult to predict.
Unlike his predecessor Giovanni Trapattoni – who named his team well in advance of games – the current Republic of Ireland manager likes to keep his cards close to his chest, delaying naming his starting team until an hour before kick-off.
Even the players are kept in the dark about their starting place into shortly before kick off.
However, after Saturday’s crushing 3-0 defeat to Belgium in Bordeaux, in which players such as James McCarthy and Ciaran Clark, amongst others, put in underwhelming performances, it’s difficult to imagine O’Neill will go with the same starting XI in the must-win game against the Italians in Lille.
Italy look set to make nine changes for the game in Lille, which Ireland must win to stand any chance of progression to the last-16, and, according to The Times, O’Neill will make four changes to his starting team.
Clark will miss out to Richard Keogh or Shane Duffy, Stephen Quinn will replace McCarthy, James McClean will come in for Wes Hoolahan and Shane Long will drop to the bench for Daryl Murphy, who has failed to score in his 21 appearances for Ireland.
The reported changes could also mean a change in formation. Here’s how the team, if the reports are correct, could line-out. However, O’Neill is difficult to second guess.
