MATCH THREAD: Group E - Italy vs Rep. of Ireland - KO 20:00 (ITV)

[ijjysmith]

vs

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Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is battling a fever and may not be fit enough to play - if he doesn't recover in time then Salvatore Sirigu will come into the side.

Winger Antonio Candreva has been training separately from the rest of the squad after suffering a right adductor injury in the win over Sweden and is unlikely to play.

Ireland await news on whether Jonathan Walters is fit enough to feature after he sat out the defeat by Belgium due to a troublesome Achilles injury.

Jeff Hendrick, James McCarthy and Glenn Whelan are one booking away from a ban.

Matches between the Republic of Ireland and Italy always evoke memories of their clashes at the 1990 and 1994 World Cups. On home soil in Rome in 1990, Italy eliminated the Republic thanks to Salvatore Schillachi's goal in the quarter-finals - only for Jack Charlton's side to get their revenge in New Jersey four years later with one of the most famous wins in their history courtesy of Ray Houghton's winner.

Far less memorable was their group match in Poznan four years ago whenItaly cruised to a 2-0 victory over an already eliminated Irish side.

A repeat of that loss would again send Ireland home. Only a win will be enough for them to reach the last 16 - but at least Group E is the last to conclude so Ireland will know exactly what they need to do to avoid going out of the tournament.

The Italians have no such worries and Antonio Conte's team have already qualified for the knockout stage as group winners.

They await the conclusion of Group D as they will take on the second placed team at the Stade de France on Monday.

 

[Caolam]

My hope for the Republic is the same as my hope for Northern Ireland, just have a go. If you are going to bow out at least go down slugging. The fans deserve to see players on the pitch committed in the same way they are, so not another inept display. Have a go.

 

[ToffeeTim]

Please win ROI so NI get Wales.

Ta.

 

[Librarian]

 

[Librarian]

Captain Coleman, Shane Duffy makes it, McCarthy retained

 

[Khalekan]

If the Republic win are they through?

I really don't know how this third place business works but surely third with four points would be enough.

 

[ToffeeTim]

Please win for your northern friends.

 

[ToffeeTim]

If the Republic win are they through?

I really don't know how this third place business works but surely third with four points would be enough.

Yes through with a win, out with a draw.

 

[Khalekan]

Yes through with a win, out with a draw.

Cheers, Tim.

 

[Sennott Street]

Yes through with a win, out with a draw.

Also need a Sweden loss or draw.

 

[ToffeeTim]

Also need a Sweden loss or draw.

They are definitely through with a win regardless of other scoreline. If sweden win too, then belgium eliminated in 4th.

 

[wm02]

First game I ever watched was Ireland 1-0 Italy at the Meadowlands (Giants stadium). Come on Ireland

 

[roydo]

Be great if all 4 of us get through.

Come on the other Ireland.

 

[ftk43]

Come on Ireland, come on Captain Coleman!

 

[dublinbluenose]

Not sure what to make of team. I think it's 4-3-1-2

Perhaps we are going route one all night with the pitch in the state it's in. Just go for it lads.

Duffy will be a threat from set pieces.