ITALY
A modern tinkerman, Antonio Conte has tried all sorts of formations in qualifying and recent friendlies, from 3-5-2 and 3-4-3 to a conventional 4-4-2.
STRENGTHS
A defence containing the Juve block of Gianluigi Buffon, Andrea Berzagli, Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini will always be extremely difficult to break down.
WEAKNESSES
Conte is not blessed with a huge amount of options up front, with the first-choice striker Graziano Pellè struggling to get in to the Southampton team at times this season.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
Martin O'Neill's side are more positive than they were towards the end of Giovanni Trapattoni's reign, and the new coach has used the attacking Robbie Brady as a left-back in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
STRENGTHS
This is an extremely hard-working side (think Jon Walters) and Shane Long's speed and aerial power up front will trouble most defences.
WEAKNESSES
O'Neill's biggest problem is in central defence, where Richard Keogh could start with John O'Shea. |
ITALY
Bolstered by the Roma captain’s armband this season, Alessandro Florenzi has stepped up a level. With seven goals and four assists, predominantly from a full-back position, his energy, quality on the ball and penchant for producing a moment of magic could see him emerge as a star of the tournament.
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REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
Jeff Hendrick was the biggest revelation of the qualifying campaign, along with Randolph. Hendrick was not even a regular starter for Derby County when he made a decisive impact off the bench for Ireland in Germany, setting up a late equaliser for O’Shea. He then earned a place in the first XI and his runs from midfield and composed distribution became a recurring feature of the campaign, whether he played centrally or on the left. His dribble and pass for Walters’ winning goal against Georgia was a work of beauty and he has a lovely understanding with Brady, with whom he has been playing since they were 10-year-olds at the Dublin junior club St Kevin’s Boys. |
