Ireland are out of Euro 2012, and this could be the last big international match for the members of their old guard. They don't technically have anything to play for, but since a number of the Ireland starting XI will either be considering international retirement or phased out of the team after the tournament, don't expect them to give anything less but their best effort. Italy need a win and have made tactical changes, switching to a four-man back line. Christian Maggio and Mario Balotelli have been dropped for Ignazio Abate and Antonio Di Natale.
Italy Vs. Ireland, Euro 2012: Lineups
Italy Lineup (4-3-1-2): Gianluigi Buffon; Federico Balzaretti, Giorgio Chiellini, Andrea Barzagli, Ignazio Abate; Daniele De Rossi, Andrea Pirlo, Claudio Marchisio; Thiago Motta; Antonio Cassano, Antonio Di Natale
Ireland Lineup (4-4-2): Shay Given; Stephen Ward, Sean St. Ledger, Richard Dunne, John O'Shea; Aiden McGeady, Keith Andrews, Glenn Whelan, Damien Duff; Robbie Keane, Kevin Doyle
Kickoff is at 2:45 p.m. ET from the Municipal Stadium in Poznan, Poland. You can catch the game on ESPN 2 in the United States.
We’ll have live coverage of both of Monday’s games simultaneously in our Euro 2012, Group C Finale StoryStream. For more on Euro 2012 and the entire world of football, follow @SBNationSoccer on twitter.
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