By isport
Mon, 06/25/2012 - 11:31
Italy called Antonio Di Natale into the starting line up at the expense of Mario Balotelli in one of four changes made by Cesare Prandelli ahead of this crunch Group C game.
The first half was a relatively even affair with Ireland making a positive contribution to the opening exchanges. After three minutes, a Damien Duff free kick was swung in but while the Italians initially failed to clear the first ball, a blue shirt scrambled clear before anyone could find the net.