Monday, October 10, 2011

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11.10. (Tue) 20:45 Italy - Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington
Getty Images

PROBABLE LINEUPS

ITALY

Buffon
Maggio, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini
Pirlo
De Rossi, Marchisio
Aquilani
Rossi, Osvaldo
NORTHERN IRELAND

Mannus
Hodson, McAuley, McLaughlin, Cathcart
McGinn, Davies, Norwood, McCourt
Feeney, Healy
Tuesday’s hosts have the top spot secured in Group C and may play around with their line-up somewhat from the starting XI that held Serbia to a draw on Friday night, with a possible international bow for Pablo Osvaldo. The Roma striker has been in good form of late, scoring three goals in as many fixtures on the domestic front and coach Cesare Prandelli has been impressed enough to call the former Espanyol attacker up to the squad to replace the injured Mario Balotelli.
Nigel Worthington will be forced to make a host of changes after both Chris Brunt and Sammy Clingan dropped out of the squad with injury, while Lee Camp and Grant McCann are also out with problems, and Kyle Lafferty is suspended for the clash in Pescara. Jonny Evans is doubtful with an ankle problem.
There could be a start for St Johnstone’s Alan Mannus in goal, meanwhile Steven Davies will captain the side in the absence of the injured Aaron Hughes. The Fulham defender recently announced he would be retiring from the international stage after Northern Ireland’s European qualifying campaign, but a groin problem has kept the 31-year-old out of the final two fixtures.
DID YOU KNOW?

  • Italy have won the competition just the once, back in 1968 when the tournament took place in their own country, beating Yugoslavia in the final at Roma’s Stadio Olimpico.
  • The Italians also reached the final in 2000, when they denied a second success by late goals from France's Sylvain Wiltord and David Trezeguet after Marco Delvecchio appeared to have given them victory.
  • Tuesday’s hosts are unbeaten in Group C with seven wins and two draws, with one of those ties coming against Northern Ireland.
  • Norther Ireland's first ever international match was against England in 1882, when they were trounced 13-0 in Belfast, a result that remains their heaviest defeat to date.
  • David Healy (pictured right) broke the record for goals scored in a qualifying campaign for the 2008 tournament after netting 13 times.
  • All but one of Northern Ireland’s managers in their history have heralded from the country itself, with Englishman Lawrie  McMenemy the odd one out in the list.

Prediction
Both teams have their fates sealed in Group C, with Italy finishing as outright leaders and the Northern Irish bitterly disappointed to only be able to finish fourth if they can beat the hosts.
The Azzurri will be hoping to finish strongly and should have more than enough to get another win.
Editor's Prediction
Italy 3-1 N. Ireland