It's do or die for Ireland against Italy tomorrow night.
Only a win will be good enough if Martin O'Neill's are to qualify for the knockout stages.
The Italians, already qualified at the top of the group, will play a weakened side - the Ireland XI so the joke goes.
The game is being played at the Stade Pierre Mauroy in Lille, the fourth game of the tournament which the 50,000 capacity stadium will host.
On Sunday night, France vs Switzerland, a dour game was played there. The pitch - along with the Swiss jerseys and one of the footballs - was cut to shreds. The surface was not in optimal condition for passing football.
This has not gone unnoticed by Italy manager Antonio Conte. Speaking at a press conference this evening ahead of the game, Conte said the surface was not at the level expected of a European Championship pitch.
#Conte: "The pitch isn't suitable for a European Championship but that can't be an excuse for my players." #ITA #ITAIRL #EURO2016
— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri_En) June 21, 2016
Conte added that poor quality of the pitch would not be an excuse should his side not perform, but clearly, it's something on his mind.
Therefore tomorrow we’ll be playing on the same surface as Ireland. It’s a shame, obviously, as the Euros have been organised well, but this turf is not up to the standards of the tournament and is frankly unexpected.
The Irish management team this evening walked pitch. Grow lighting was being used at the time - with the stadium's roof remaining closed - in an attempt to ameliorate the situation.
Conte confirmed that he would be making 'seven to nine' changes from the side which beat Sweden in the second group game. He also threw out the usual line we hear from opposition managers regarding Ireland being a 'tough and physical' opponent.
Let us start from one important point: humility is part of intelligence. We must not forget our strengths and our weaknesses. We have started on the right track, but must not lose our way or fall into such a silly trap. We’d be idiots.
Therefore, as far as I am concerned, this is an important lead-up to the game. We are facing a tough and physical Ireland and it doesn’t matter if we have already qualified.
Photo by David Maher/Sportsfile
