Italy vs. Ireland: Most Important Players for Azzurri in Crucial Match

When Italy takes on Ireland on Monday, it needs to win. And it needs to win big. 

The situation in Group C is a bit murky, but all Italy needs to worry about is coming away with three points. After that, well, I'll let ESPN's Chris Murphy explain it: 

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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.

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Considering Spain and Croatia could very well play for the draw, Italy needs to win by at least four goals in case things go to goal differential. 

Let's take a look at the Italian players who are most important in providing Italy for a convincing win. 

Andrea Pirlo

Pirlo has been one of the best players of the tournament so far, and he will have to continue his brilliance against Ireland on Monday. 

Against Spain, Pirlo distributed the ball beautifully all game long before setting up Antonio Di Natale for a beautiful goal.

He decided to take matters into his own hands, err, feet, against the Croatians. Pirlo was his normally dangerous passing self, but the real highlight came in 39th minute when he put home a lovely free kick. 

Antonio Cassano

While Di Natale will likely continue to play the role of conductor and on-field coach, Cassano will be the one who needs to slot away the ball in the final third. 

Cassano hasn't had the great tournament many were expecting of him, but he has had times where he's looked dangerous and capable of taking over for the Italians. 

He finally needs to put everything together and display his tremendous potential. If he does that in a game where he should have plenty of room to operate, he—and Italy—will have a huge day.

Mario Balotelli

Speaking of talented strikers who haven't lived up to potential this tournament, here we have Mario Balotelli.

The young Manchester City striker has shown streaks of brilliance. For example, he has touches like this:

Of course, the most interesting (or crazy) player in football has also had his "what the (expletive)" moments, like when he had a one-on-one against Spain but acted as if he has all the time in the world and was dispossessed by Sergio Ramos. 

As long as he stays out of his head and concentrates on the game at hand, Balotelli, who will have plenty of opportunities, should find the back of the net for the first time this tournament. 

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