U21 International Preview: Republic of Ireland -v- Italy

The Republic of Ireland under-21 team know that that their hopes of qualifying for the 2017 tournament in Poland will be all but over if they fail to defeat Group 2 leaders Italy in Waterford on Thursday night.

Italy lead the group having failed to lose a match to date. Ireland, in contrast, lost in Lithuania in their last qualifier, having been beaten 1-0 by Italy in the Stadio Romeo Menti, Vincenza last October.

That match was settled in the 66^th minute when Perugia midfielder Vittorio Parigini struck the only goal of the game to extend Italy’s unbeaten record in qualifying.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

Ireland manager Noel King has named five players previously uncapped for the under-21s ahead of this crucial encounter. Reading duo Niall Keown and Josh Barrett, Cork City full-back Kevin O’Connor, Shamrock Rovers star Brandon Miele and Everton midfielder Harry Charsley have all been named in King’s 24-man squad.

King has named five League of Ireland players in his panel. Miele and O’Connor, Sean Hoare of St. Pats, Cork City striker Sean Maguire and Bray Wanderers’ Dylan Connolly will all be in contention to play in the game at the Waterford RSC.

King will be looking to his more experienced players such as Watford’s Tommie Hoban, Hull City defender Brian Lenihan and the much talked about number 10 Jack Byrne for the inspiration needed to gain the required three points.

Byrne has been training with Martin O’Neill’s senior team this week, having impressed with Dutch Eredivisie side SC Cambuur on loan from Manchester City this season. The 19-year-old Dubliner has been very out-spoken in recent days about the technical ability that he possesses, so much so that his style of play has been likened to that of Wes Hoolahan.

Ahead of Thursday’s match, Byrne said: “We’re looking forward to it (the game). We were unlucky over there. We should have beaten them but opportunity missed so we need to bounce back and hopefully we can get a good result back in Waterford.”

The team still has to play Slovenia and Serbia home and away after tomorrow night’s match. Both sides sit ahead of Ireland and have games ahead against group minnows Lithuania and Andorra, meaning Ireland will have to win all of their remaining games to be in with a realistic chance of topping the group and achieving qualification. That quest starts against Italy.

ITALY

Italian manager Luigi Di Biagio has named a strong squad for their visit to Waterford on Thurdsay evening.

The six times winners of the under-21 European Championships have qualified for the last two tournaments since their last absence in 2011. Their last tournament success came back in 2004 when Daniele De Rossi, Andrea Barzagli and Alberto Gilardino were part of the side.

This current crop of Italian youngsters are equally as exciting with Juventus prospect Rolando Mandragora, Sassuolo forward Domenico Berardi and Alessio Romagnioli of AC Milan their stand out players.

The Azzurrini have also named teenaged AC Milan first choice goal keeper and the highly promising Gianluigi Donnarumma in the squad for the first time, however, he is unlikely to replace Alessio Cragno who has been the team’s preference since the start of qualifying. He pulled off a string of saves to deny Ireland in the last match.

Italy have conceded only one goal in qualifying and have been a typically efficient Italian side to date. The only blemish on their record so far was the 1-1 draw in Serbia, arguably their toughest match on paper during this campaign, so they’ll be expecting to take another step to Poland by winning in Waterford tomorrow evening.

Referee: Bart Vertenten (Belgium).

MATCH STATS:

The last time an Italian u21 team visited Ireland was in June 2012. The match was played at the Showgrounds in Sligo and ended in a 2-2 draw.

Italy took a two-goal lead through Shane Duffy’s own-goal and a strike from former Borussia Dortmund and Sevilla striker Ciro Immobile. However, second half goals from Robbie Brady and Greg Cunningham snatched a draw for Ireland.

The head-to-head record between the sides at this level stands at: Ireland one win, Italy one win and one draw.

BETTING:

Republic of Ireland 9/5; Draw 23/10; Italy 6/5.

PREDICTION:

Republic of Ireland 0-2 Italy.

Republic of Ireland

Injuries: Unknown.

Doubtful: Unknown.

Suspended: None.

Italy

Injuries: Unknown.

Doubtful: Unknown.

Suspension: None.