Intl Friendly: Ireland 0 - 0 Italy

The Republic of Ireland played out an entertaining scoreless draw against four time World Champions Italy at Craven Cottage in London on Saturday night.

The game may come at a cost as World Cup bound Italian captain Ricardo Montolivio sustained a serious injury in an innocuous challenge with Alex Pearce. The Milan midfielder left West London with his World Cup dream hanging in the balance.

Martin O’Neill made five changes from Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Turkey at The Aviva Stadium as David Forde, Alex Pearce, Jeff Hendrick, David Meyler and Anthony Pilkington replaced Rob Elliot, Dean Delaney, James McClean, Marc Wilson and Glenn Whelan.

Italy were first to draw blood as Claudio Marchisio saw his 20 yard effort palmed away to safety, David Forde was at full stretch to deny the Juventus midfielder. Marco Verratti was showing his full array of passing ability in the opening exchanges.

Ireland’s first chance came as Aiden McGeady, Wes Hoolahan and Shane Long raided down the right flank with their first counter attacked. McGeady forced a corner kick which resulted in Anthony Pilkington drawing a routine save from Salvatore Sirigu.

As the clock approached the half-hour mark Anthony Pilkington skipped past three Azzurri defenders creating space to shoot, a last ditch block prevented Pilkington’s effort troubling Sirigu between the Putney End goalposts.

The first half came to a close with Wes Hoolahan attempting an audacious Andrea Pirlo-esque effort from just inside the opposing half, the former League of Ireland star saw his effort skip past the post. Pirlo, spectating from the Italian bench and known for his vision and passing witnessed a masterclass of passing as 21-year-old Marco Verratti impressed the large Italian audience.

Wes Hoolahan started the second half where he left the first, finding gaps in a worried Italian rear-guard. First, the Dubliner set Shane Long free, Long failed to show the finesse of his teammate as McGeady pleaded for the ball and the attack broke down.

Moments later Hoolahan played Long through on goal again, this time Long forced Sirigu into a one handed save as the ball looked destined for the corner of the net. Anthony Pilkington was next to try his luck with a fierce 25 yard effort before James McClean replaced the midfielder as O’Neill’ first substitution.

Serie A’s top goalscorer, Ciro Immobile had the ball in the net as he tapped home after a sublime Marco Parolo ball to the back post. Italian celebrations were short lived as the linesman flagged for offside.

Marco Parolo impressed after replacing substitute Alberto Aquilani and was unlucky to see his goalbound effort deflected into the side netting as the pressure mounted on a tiring Irish defence. Stephen Quinn crashed an effort from 12 yards off the underside of the crossbar with Sirigu hapless after some fine wing play from James McClean, the rebound fell to McGeady, this time the PSG stopper was alert to keep the strike out at his near post.

Three minutes of additional time failed to produce a decisive strike for either side. Martin O’Neill’s men can take many positives with Wes Hoolahan the pick of the bunch. Again. Ireland finish the season stateside with friendlies against Costa Rica in Philadelphia and Portugal in New Jersey next week. Italy face Luxembourg in Perugia on Wednesday before setting off for Brazil.

Rep. of Ireland: David Forde; Seamus Coleman, John O’Shea (Captain), Alex Pearce, Stephen Ward; Aiden McGeady, Jeff Hendrick, David Meyler (Paul Green 85), Anthony Pilkington (James McClean 58); Wes Hoolahan (Stephen Quinn 67); Shane Long (Simon Cox 73).

Subs not used: Joe Murphy, Richard Keogh, Stephen Kelly, Damien Delaney, Shane Duffy, Ciaran Clarke, Daryl Murphy, Kevin Doyle, Conor Sammon, Ian Lawlor.

Booked: None.

Italy: Salvatore Sirigu; Matteo Darmian (Ignazio Abate 87), Gabriel Paletta, Mattia De Sciglio, Leonardo Bonucci; Thiago Motta (Daniele De Rossi 61), Marco Verratti, Riccardo Montolivo (Alberto Aquilani 15(Marco Parolo 37)); Claudio Marchisio; Guiseppe Rossi (Alessio Cerci 70), Ciro Immobile (Antonio Cassano 57).

Subs not used: Gianluigi Buffon, Mattia Perin, Antonio Mirante, Andrea Barzagli, Giorgio Chiellini, Christian Maggio, Manuel Pasqual, Andrea Ranocchia, Antonio Candreva, Andrea Pirlo, Romulo, Mario Balotelli, Mattia Destro, Lorenzo Insigne.

Booked: None.

Referee: Michael Oliver.

Attendance: 22,879.

Extratime Man of the Match: Wes Hoolahan. The attacking midfielder caused Cesare Prandelli’s experienced team endless problems before his substitution. A combination of vision and passing left Hoolahan the stand out performer as Ireland were unlucky not to record a third win over their Italian opponents.