Italy vs. Ireland: Struggling Offense Will Cost Italians Trip to Knockout Stage

Italy has not lost a match in Euro 2012, but a lack of goals will send the squad home earlier than expected.

Coming into the tournament, the opening contest with Spain seemed to be the toughest part of the group stage. The Spanish won the most recent World Cup as well as Euro 2008, and the team did not lose or draw in 14 straight competitive matches.

When Italy played the favorites to a 1-1 draw, it was easy to expect smooth sailing until the quarterfinals.

Unfortunately, Croatia also came to play and was able to draw the Italians with an identical 1-1 score. Now, Italy needs help for any chance to advance in this prestigious tournament.

The final match in the group stage for Italy is against a struggling Ireland squad. Although the national team came into the European Championship well-respected, the Irish have been outscored 7-1 in their first two games.

Just like Croatia and Spain before them, Italy will also need to run up the score to possibly advance.

If there is a scoreless draw or a winner between Spain and Croatia, Italy simply needs to win to reach the quarterfinals. If the two teams tie with two or more goals each, Spain and Croatia will advance regardless. Only after a 1-1 tie will goal differential come into play.

Regardless, Italy has not shown enough in the first two games to show it belongs in the knockout stage in this prestigious tournament.

Ireland has been eliminated, but it will still be competing for pride. It will not allow a struggling Italian offense to simply rack up goals like Spain was able to do last match.

It took an impressive Andrea Pirlo shot to get on the scoreboard against Croatia. Forwards Antonio Cassano and Mario Balotelli have gotten their opportunities in the offensive zone, but they have not been able to put the ball in the back of the net.

With goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, Italy has the ability to keep any team off the scoreboard. Unfortunately, without an offense threat, the Italians will not even need to worry about the other match, because they will eliminate themselves.