Two nations looking to return to form will do battle today in an international friendly between Italy and Ireland. The Italian World Cup tune-up scheduled for 2:15 p.m. ET will be held at Craven Cottage in London and be live streamed here free. Additional TV coverage can be found on beIN Sports.
For Ireland, this afternoon's match in London is a mere friendly. For Italy, however, this is an opportunity to assess their national team roster. Head coach Cesare Prandelli has a deep strikers pool he must dwindle down, with Giuseppe Rossi remaining the focal point for national team fans.
"From what I've seen so far, I expect a big game from Rossi. He has passed all the fitness tests. We've had positive signs from him in training,'' Prandelli said in Friday's press conference (via ESPN FC); however, we have to consider how he will react from a psychological standpoint to contact. Rossi has been working to prepare in the best possible way for this game," he added.
When asked about the tone of this afternoon's match, Prandelli added, "This is not an experimental game. It's a game that gives us the opportunity to analyse the tactics that we will put out on the pitch."
"We have a group of players that are all more or less at the same level. They are all fit and ready. They have all worked with the maximum dedication.''
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Tactical Preview
Player to Watch: Rossi has proven to be a goalscoring machine for Fiorentina when healthy. In 21 appearances with La Viola, the 27-year-old delivered an astounding 16 goals and three assists.
Italy's Projected Lineup (4-3-1-2): Sirigu; Sciglio, Paletta, Bonucci, Darmian; Montolivo, Verratti, Motta, Marchisio; Rossi, Immobile
Ireland's Projected Lineup (4-4-1-1): Forde; Ward, Delaney, O'Shea, Coleman; Quinn, Whelan, Wilson, Walters; Doyle; Long
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