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Cesare Prandelli's 3-5-2 formation operated fluently for a game-and-a-half until Slaven Bilic's tactical tinkering at the interval halted its momentum, blunting Italy's wing backs and forcing them deeper into their own half. Despite some efficient forward movement, they have registered only two goals - the last an expertly taken free-kick from the evergreen Andrea Pirlo. His midfield prompting has been one of the shining lights of Prandelli's operation so far.

Neither Antonio Cassano nor Mario Balotelli has found the net, despite a steady trickle of chances falling their way. But there is hope for a better goals return against Ireland, who have provided the leakiest defence at the tournament. Italy must win their final game to stand any chance of making the last eight. If they do gain three points, and there is a decisive result in Spain's clash with Croatia, they'll qualify in second. If they win and the other game ends in a draw it gets complicated. If Spain v Croatia ends 0-0, Italy go through with Spain. If it finishes 1-1 it will come down to goal difference. If Spain and Croatia serve up a 2-2 draw, they will both go through and Italy will head home. Conspiracy theories have swiftly been denounced by both camps.

That Ireland have become the Group C whipping boys will serve as a major embarrassment to coach Giovanni Trapattoni, whose parsimonious approach during qualifying had seen them develop into a solid defensive unit. They have conceded seven in their opening two games and have one single mission in Poznan - to restore pride. As ever, if major tournaments were decided on fan following, Ireland would have multiple honours; it is imperative their ageing team provides a scrap of dignity for their faithful supporters before they return to the Emerald Isle.

Trapattoni has named the same team that lined up against Croatia, sticking by the likes of Robbie Keane, Damien Duff, Richard Dunne and Shay Given despite the criticism that has come their way - most of it from former stalwart Roy Keane. Given that it has taken Ireland ten years to qualify for a major tournament, this clash has more than a hint of swansong about it. Despite fans clamouring for James McClean's inclusion, the veteran coach has opted to retain Aiden McGeady. Should Ireland slump again, without the Sunderland winger seeing a significant slice of action, Trapattoni will feel their wrath. Ireland need to offer something to avoid their Euro 2012 campaign going down as a bone fide disaster, albeit in what was a vicious group.

Italy player to watch: Antonio Cassano. It has been a case of nearly but not quite for the mercurial striker at Euro 2012 - his controversial aside about homosexuals making more headlines than his performances on the pitch. But there is a sense Cassano is nearing top form, as his first half showing against Croatia suggested. The Milan forward can expect more room in which to operate in against Ireland and must utilise it properly if he is to finally make the big impact many expected from him before the tournament began.

Ireland player to watch: Robbie Keane Ireland's captain has had to feed on scraps in the tournament so far, with Ireland's creative players reduced to mere bystanders during the defeat to Spain. Unlike some of his colleagues, he has rejected talk of international retirement, so a demonstration that he is still able to cut it on such a glittering stage would be timely before Ireland's World Cup qualification campaign begins.

Key Battle: Andrea Pirlo v Keith Andrews. With respect, a mismatch in terms of ability, but Andrews - and midfield colleague Glenn Whelan - must get close to Pirlo to stunt his expansive range of passing. Croatia afforded the 33-year-old time and space in the first half of their match and paid the price, but profited in the second when they made sure he was shackled. Andrews must do the same if Ireland are to prosper.

Trivia: Ireland have only beaten Italy twice in the 11 games they've played against each other but 18 years ago to the day they will meet in Poznan came one of the Republic's most famous wins, a 1-0 success over Italy at World Cup '94 in the United States, courtesy of a Ray Houghton goal.

Stats: Italy have now gone six matches without a win at major final tournaments - the worst run in their history.

Odds: Italy (1.30), the draw (5.50) and Ireland (11.00) are on offer with bet365, with a 3-3 draw available at 81.00.

Prediction: Ireland have never lost all their games at a major tournament and their chastened pack will perform much better than in their opening two games but needs must for Italy, who should have enough to claim victory.
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Level on four points, top spot in the group and a supposedly easier opponent in the quarter-finals awaits the victor. But defeat carries a hefty penalty and could leave either side heading home, provided Italy, who trail the duo by two points, beat already eliminated Ireland.
However, both camps have furiously denied that there'll be even a slight hint of collusion.
Asked if Spain would consider playing for the draw, midfielder Xavi Hernandez said: "Absolutely not. We only know how to play attacking football so a draw would not suit us. Our aim is always to go out for victory and against Croatia it will be no exception. We will play to get three points from the first minute until the last."
Spain will be at full strength for the pivotal match with midfielder Sergio Busquets recovered from a minor foot injury. Manager Vicente del Bosque is likely stick with striker Fernando Torres in attack after the No. 9 showed signs of rediscovering his long lost form with two goals in the confidence-boosting 4-0 win against Ireland.
With La Roja looking close to their best, Croatia coach Slaven Bilic has admitted his team will need the "game of their lives" against the defending European champions. It's expected that Bilic will drop striker Nikica Jelavic and play Tottenham playmaker Luka Modric in support of front man Mario Mandzukic in order to pack out the midfield.
Croatia player to watch: Mario Mandzukic. All eyes will be on the Wolfsburg forward after a brace against Ireland and a strike versus Italy made him joint-top scorer of Euro 2012 with three goals. But goals aren't all that Mandzukic brings to the team. The 26-year-old's link-up play provides a constant threat and if he is to feature as a lone striker this will be an asset he will have to exploit to the maximum. Mandzukic can also play as winger and his ability to prod and probe all along the Spanish back-four should allow him to fully exploit any weakness in what is supposed to be their Achilles heel.
Spain player to watch. David Silva. The Manchester City star was part of the trio of midfielders who made up the front line of Spain's controversial 4-6-0 formation against Italy and laid on the goal for Cesc Fabregas. However, he was much more at home when a recognised No. 9 was restored to the side, he played a part in both of Torres' goals and popped up to score on himself. With Torres due to lead the line again, Silva should be at his best.
Key Battle: Luka Modric v Sergio Busquets
Modric has adapted to a deeper role as playmaker for club and country but against Spain he will be thrust further forward, providing the link between midfield and Croatia's sole striker. The tricky forward is certainly good enough to do the job but Spain know that if they keep him quiet they will nullify Croatia's attack. That will be the job of Busquets, Spain's destroyer, such as it is.
Stat: Mario Mandzukic has had only four shots at Euro 2012 but has scored with three of them.
Trivia: Over their last 24 fixtures at Euros and World Cup, the only side able to score more than a single goal against Spain were France, during their 3-1 at the 2006 World Cup.
Odds: Croatia (8.00), Spain (1.72) and the draw (2.87) are on offer with bet365 while a 2-2 draw is 7.00.
Prediction: Spain are clear favourites with the bookies but Croatia are capable of getting the draw they need to go through.


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As expected, Germany stepped up a gear against Netherlands after slogging to a win over Portugal in their opening group game and, as many predicted, they top Group B. But even six points from two games doesn't guarantee progress to the quarter-finals for Joachim Low's team, and they wrap up group proceedings against a Denmark side that has already sprung a surprise with a 1-0 win against the Dutch (although were indebted to a medley of misses).

If the Germans play as they did for most of their game against Bert van Marwijk's under-achievers, they should have few worries about securing the point they need. After the plod against Portugal, the win over Netherlands indicated that the fluent attacking football that has become a German hallmark was on its way back. Mezut Ozil, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Thomas Muller prompted and pressed as the Dutch - admittedly sometimes underwhelming in the challenge - floundered.
And at the cutting edge of all that was the country's unexpected man of the moment. There were media grumblings when Low selected Mario Gomez for the Portugal game - grumblings that were silenced by a majestic headed winner and buried altogether by two more fine finishes against Netherlands. It has been a golden week for a striker who has sometimes struggled to bring his club confidence to the international stage.
The Germans have apparently assured their Dutch counterparts that they will be going all out to win (Van Marwijk and the gang have to hope for that, and to beat Portugal by two or more goals). German fans already revelling in their victory over the Oranje may well be enjoying, even more, the fact that their bitterest rivals desperately want - and need - them to win.
But Morten Olsen's Denmark have every incentive to stop them: win and they have a great chance of going through. They can count themselves a little unfortunate not to have four points - Nicklas Bendtner and his controversial pants looked to have rescued a draw from two down against Portugal, for whom the perennially posturing Ronaldo suffered an in no way amusing nightmare in front of goal, only for Silvestre Varela to thrash in a late winner.
The Bendtner brace, though, threatened to gloss over the fact that Denmark just don't look very comfortable or happy in defence. The clean sheet against Netherlands was deceptive: few opponents will manufacture that many chances and fail to take any of them.
With the likes of Ozil and Schweinsteiger pulling the strings, the Danes are unlikely to keep Germany out - and that means much will come down to whether Bendtner, never a man for underselling himself, Michael Krohn-Dehli and Christian Eriksen can capitalise on the chances they get to open up the German defence. If they can, there might be a very interesting finale in the Group of Death - the Hammer Horror film that never was - to look forward to.
Denmark player to watch: Nicklas Bendtner. The two-goal star of what ultimately turned out to be a disappointing show last time out, the striker who has so often bigged himself up has the opportunity to make a decisive impact when it really matters. It's unclear what his underwear plans are.
Germany player to watch: Mario Gomez. Well, who else? His star has been in the ascendancy ever since, with substitution imminent, he won the game against Portugal. His first goal against Netherlands was taken with a level of aplomb that told of the confidence injection that brought.
Key battle: Daniel Agger v Mario Gomez. Nobody needs reminding of what a good centre-back Agger is, and how he deals with the tournament's joint top scorer will have a significant bearing on Denmark's chances of keeping Germany at bay.
Stat: Denmark haven't lost in their last three games against the Germans, all of which were friendlies.
Trivia: The last three times Germany won their first two matches at a European Championship, they went on to win the trophy.
Odds: Denmark (6.00), Germany (1.72) and the draw (3.40) are on offer with bet365, while man of the moment Gomez is 5.50 to be first goalscorer.
Prediction: Germany were much more assured in their second match than their first, and rarely looked flustered even after Netherlands had pulled a goal back. With their passing clicking into gear, they should get more than the point they need here.
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Preview 
World Cup finalists, top scorers in qualifying and one of the favourites to win Euro 2012, the Dutch now stand on the brink of a humiliating early exit from the European Championship. After two defeats on the bounce, the Oranje must beat Portugal by two clear goals and hope Germany defeat Denmark in order to escape from Group B.

It's a tall order. No team has ever reached the knockout phase at the Euros after losing their first two matches. Throw in the fact that it took Netherlands 46 shots to notch a solitary goal, never mind two, and Bert van Marwijk's side look destined to board an early flight back to Amsterdam.
There's dissent in the ranks too. Striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar, who topped the Euro 2012 goalscoring charts in qualifying with 12 strikes, and playmaker Rafael van der Vaart have both voiced their frustration at starting games on the bench.
The latter's exclusion has caused particular consternation in the Dutch media, which has repeatedly questioned the coach's decision to stick with Robin van Persie's wayward shooting during the tournament. The Huntelaar vs. Van Persie debate dominated the build up to Euro 2012 and Van Marwijk appears to have backed the wrong striker, even in light of his club form.
On the plus side, the Dutch have a fully fit squad to choose from and circumstances mean that both front men could be handed a starting role. That would result in a rarely seen change of formation for Van Marwijk, with either one of his two beloved defensive midfielders - Mark Van Bommel and Nigel De Jong - or Barcelona winger Ibrahim Afellay making way.
Portugal, who need a win to be absolutely certain of going through, go into the game having recovered from an opening defeat to Germany with a 3-2 win over group dark-horses Denmark and did so with star-turn Cristiano Ronaldo yet to find top form.
Pepe, substitute Silvestre Varela and Helder Postiga got the goals against the Danes and the latter is likely to keep his place in attack ahead of Hugo Almeida and Nelson Oliveira. Portugal boss Paulo Bento has a fully-fit squad to choose from and should stick with the same XI that featured in Lviv.
Portugal player to watch: Joao Moutinho. The FC Porto star plays on the left of a midfield three for Portugal but still manages to orchestrate the game from his outside position. He tops the passing stats in terms of attempts and completion for Paulo Bento's side but more importantly he is incisive with his distribution. He is the man that creates goalscoring chances for his team-mates and he will be the key to unlocking the Dutch defence.
Netherlands player to watch: Robin van Persie He may have had more than a quarter of Netherlands' shots, but he has also scored their only goal and is unlikely to be dropped against Portugal. His form was such for Arsenal this season that he was selected ahead of the Oranje's top scorer, Huntelaar, and he needs to rediscover his old finesse in front of goal if his side are to bag the two goals (at least) they need to stand a chance of reaching the quarter-finals.
Key Battle: Fabio Coentrao v Arjen Robben. Real Madrid defender Coentrao has made his name as a marauding full-back but it is his defensive qualities that will be under scrutiny when he faces up to Bayern Munich's Dutch winger. Coentrao, 24, has made just a single tackle in the tournament so far and he'll certainly have to improve that statistic against Robben, who has point to prove after being hauled off in Netherlands' 3-1 defeat to Germany.
Trivia: The last time Netherlands were knocked out at the group phase of the European Championship (1980) was two years after they finished runners-up at the World Cup (1978) - just as they did in 2010.
Stats: The Dutch have failed to score in six of their ten meetings with Portugal.
Odds: Portugal (2.80), the draw (3.50) and Netherlands (2.50) are on offer with bet365, with a 2-2 draw available at 12.00.
Prediction: Netherlands have only won one of their previous ten internationals against Portugal and it seems unlikely they will do so at the Metalist Stadium. A draw is more likely.
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