Ireland is playing for pride on Monday against Italy in their final group stage match at Euro 2012, having been officially eliminated from competition last Thursday with a loss against Spain. However, with Italy currently sitting third in Group C after a pair of draws against Croatia and Spain, Robbie Keane and the Irish have a chance to play spoiler with a win, tie or one-goal loss against the Azzurri at Stadion Miejski in Poznan.
Keane, the longtime Tottenham Hotspur star who won an MLS Cup last year with the Los Angeles Galaxy, was active against Spain last Thursday, posting two shots on goal. Sean St. Ledger has the lone goal for Ireland in this tournament, having scored against Croatia in Ireland's opening game to pull the Irish even before Nikica Jelavi and Mario Mandzukic scored to put the match out of reach. Shay Given was a star against Spain, making 11 saves to give his side every chance to win, and should pose a similar challenge to the Italians, who have mustered just two goals in this tournament.
As Italy takes the pitch, all eyes will likely be on Mario Balotelli. The Manchester City star was active against Croatia, putting two of his five shots on goal, but he went scoreless and was whistled for three fouls. Some reports had him benched to start the game against Ireland, but that will remain to be seen. With Balotelli already carrying a yellow card from the match against Spain, and having committed seven fouls in two games, he'll be under pressure to improve his play and stay out of trouble to try and get Italy to the quarterfinal round.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 8:45 p.m. local time (2:45 p.m. ET in the U.S.).
