Nine changes and you’d barely even notice.
Antonio Conte is going to make a host of changes to his side ahead of Ireland’s crunch game on Wednesday night.
The game means nothing to Italy who have already topped the group. It means everything to Ireland who must win or they’re going home.
That goal for Croatia means Italy's reward for topping their group will be a match against Spain. Congrats, Italy #ESPCRO #EURO2016
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) June 21, 2016
However, whilst the speculation is that the incoming Chelsea manager will make as many as nine changes to his team that started against Sweden, it doesn’t seem to affect the prestige of the side too much.
It appears the talk from the Irish camp wasn’t just talk. It’s true, whatever side the Italians deploy will be strong.
The team rumoured to line up against Martin O’Neill’s men on Wednesday evening still boasts the following:
- 224 caps
- 22 top flight league titles
- 31 domestic cup titles
- 1 World Cup
- 1 Club World Cup
- 2 Champions League titles
- 1 Europa League title
- An average age of 26.8
It’s true. They have depth.
Italy made just one change between their Belgium and Sweden victories, poor Matteo Darmian the only man receiving the chop.
TEAM v BELGIUM/SWEDEN
Ahead of the trip to Lille though, nine new names are expected to infiltrate that side with a whole new formation.
Only Barzagli and Florenzi are tipped to keep their starting positions from the Sweden match.
RUMOURED TEAM v IRELAND
So who are these weakened players of the weakened squad then? Because, from where we’re standing, there doesn’t seem to be too many weak links of the weak links.
Look at this for a rundown of a second string prospect. A menacing prospect.
Salvatore Sirigu
Club: Paris Saint-Germain
Age: 29
Caps: 16
Honours: 4 Ligue 1 titles; 6 domestic cup titles; 2 x Ligue 1 Goalkeeper of the Year.
Matteo Darmian
Club: Manchester United
Age: 26
Caps: 23
Honours: 1 FA Cup; 2 x Serie A Team of the Year.
Andrea Barzagli
Club: Juventus
Age: 35
Caps: 58
Honours: 5 Serie A titles; 1 Bundesliga title; 1 Serie C1 title; 1 Serie D title; 5 domestic cup titles; 1 World Cup title; 3 x Serie A Team of the Year.
Angelo Ogbonna
Club: West Ham United
Age: 28
Caps: 11
Honours: 2 Serie A titles; 1 domestic cup title.
Alessandro Florenzi
Club: Roma
Age: 25
Caps: 18
Honours: N/A
Mattia De Sciglio
Club: AC Milan
Age: 23
Caps: 23
Honours: 1 domestic cup title; 1 x Serie A Team of the Year.
Thiago Motta
Club: Paris Saint-Germain
Age: 33
Caps: 28
Honours: 2 La Liga titles; 1 Serie A title; 4 Ligue 1 titles; 10 domestic cup titles; 2 Champions League titles; 1 Club World Cup title.
https://twitter.com/FootballPho/status/743854640647770112
Stefano Sturaro
Club: Juventus
Age: 23
Caps: 2
Honours: 2 Serie A titles; 3 domestic cup titles.
Stephan El-Shaarawy
Club: Roma
Age: 23
Caps: 19
Honours: 1 domestic cup title.
Ciro Immobile
Club: Sevilla
Age: 26
Caps: 14
Honours: 1 Europa League title; 1 Serie B title, 1 domestic cup title; 1 x Serie A top scorer.
Simeone Zaza
Club: Juventus
Age: 24
Caps: 12
Honours: 1 Serie A title; 2 domestic cup titles.
