World news – GB – Italy – Republic of Ireland U21 live from the Euro qualifiers

The Republic of Ireland aim to extend their lead at the top of their European Championship qualifying group against Italy this afternoon

Jim Crawford’s side take on Azzurri in Pisa at 4 p.m. PT, with the match taking place just a five-minute walk from the Leaning Tower

The Italians squad were wiped out by Covid-19 ahead of the game, with seven players testing positive for the virus and several others identified as close contacts

This means that only four squad members will be available for the match, with players under 20 making up the rest of the panel

Crawford has lost defender Dara O’Shea and midfielder Jason Knight to the senior squad in recent days due to coronavirus concerns, but the only player injured for Ireland is the striker of the Shamrock Rovers Neil Farrugia

Today’s game is not being shown live in Ireland, but Italian channel RAI 2 is broadcasting it and may broadcast it on their website

We’ll bring you all roster, squad news and game updates here throughout the afternoon and evening

The match takes place a few minutes walk from the Leaning Tower

4 – Troy Parrott3 – Adam Idah2 – Zach Elbouzedi1 – Neil Farrugia, Conor Masterson, Lee O’Connor

7 games played12 goals scored3 clean sheets102 goal attempts52 attempts on target11 attempts blocked36 corners won

« We are looking forward to the match. We know how important this match is at Group level but also in terms of our chances of qualifying for the finals » We have kept an eye on what is happening and we will be as prepared as possible for the match Our staff have worked hard to provide us with as much information as possible about the Italian team “Everyone with us is fit and available Including the staff we have done 34 tests and 34 came back negative so there is lots of credit to players for following protocols“This game is a great opportunity for us and we have been working hard in training all week. We have some very good players and we want to continue the good form that we have already shown in this qualifying campaign « 

STARTING XI | #ITAIRL First game # IRLU21 for captain’s armband Jim Crawford for Conor Masterson Debut for midfielder @WSmallbone Arena Garibaldi, Pisa KO 16:00 (Irish time) @ UEFAUnder21 picTwittercom / HAxnw7LW1B

Hello and welcome to our live blog for today’s U21 European Championship qualifiers between Italy and Ireland

Covid-19 continues to affect sporting events all over the world and this one has been no different

Only four of Italy’s Under-21 players can play in today’s game after seven tested positive for coronavirus and several more have been identified as close contacts

Former Wolves forward Patrick Cutrone and Milan defender Sandro Tonali – both senior internationals – will be joined by Cagliari forward Riccardo Sottil and uncapped teenager Samuele Ricci for the game, the rest of the team consisting of players under 20

Jim Crawford has no such problems in his Irish squad as he takes charge of his first game as U21 coach

Michael Obafemi takes charge of Boys in Green, while Will Smallbone makes his debut

Republic of Ireland national Under-21 football team, Jim Crawford, Italy, Under-21 national football team, Michael Obafemi, UEFA European Under-21 Championship