IRELAND U21 MANAGER Jim Crawford has named his starting line-up for this afternoon’s Uefa European Championship qualifier away to Italy.
Despite several players recently making the step up to senior level, the Group 1 leaders are still able to field a strong team.
Southampton attacking midfielder Will Smallbone makes his international debut at this level, while club mate Michael Obafemi starts up front.
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Manchester City’s Gavin Bazunu, who is on loan at Rochdale, is in goal, while captain Conor Masterson will be partnered by Stoke City defender Nathan Collins at centre-half.
Dundalk’s Darragh Leahy and Lee O’Connor of Celtic (on loan at Tranmere Rovers) occupy the full-back positions.
West Ham midfielder Conor Coventry is alongside Peterborough United’s Jack Taylor, while Connor Ronan of Wolves (on loan at Grasshoppers) and Lincoln City winger Zack Elbouzedi join Smallbone behind Obafemi.
The Italy team were hit by a string of Covid-19 cases over the past week and have looked to their U20s to fulfill the fixture.
Kick-off in Pisa is 4pm Irish time and you will be able to follow the game in our minute-by-minute liveblog.
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Ireland U21s name strong starting XI as Smallbone handed debut
IRELAND U21 MANAGER Jim Crawford has named his starting line-up for this afternoon’s Uefa European Championship qualifier away to Italy.
Despite several players recently making the step up to senior level, the Group 1 leaders are still able to field a strong team.
Southampton attacking midfielder Will Smallbone makes his international debut at this level, while club mate Michael Obafemi starts up front.
Manchester City’s Gavin Bazunu, who is on loan at Rochdale, is in goal, while captain Conor Masterson will be partnered by Stoke City defender Nathan Collins at centre-half.
Dundalk’s Darragh Leahy and Lee O’Connor of Celtic (on loan at Tranmere Rovers) occupy the full-back positions.
West Ham midfielder Conor Coventry is alongside Peterborough United’s Jack Taylor, while Connor Ronan of Wolves (on loan at Grasshoppers) and Lincoln City winger Zack Elbouzedi join Smallbone behind Obafemi.
The Italy team were hit by a string of Covid-19 cases over the past week and have looked to their U20s to fulfill the fixture.
Kick-off in Pisa is 4pm Irish time and you will be able to follow the game in our minute-by-minute liveblog.
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jim crawford MICHAEL OBAFEMI Team news Ireland Republic Italy U21 European Championships will smallbone