Masterson renews rivalry with Azzurri star Cutrone

AFTER keeping Wolves striker Patrick Cutrone quiet once, Ireland’s Conor Masterson has no fears about shackling the Italian again in tonight’s vital Euro U21 qualifier. Stephen Kenny’s side can take a mammoth step towards a firstever major U21 tournament at a packed Tallaght Stadium by getting a result against the group’s top seeds. The young Boys in Green are already in a commanding lead at the summit of Group One following three successive victories. Masterson helped seal the last one by heading Ireland in front away to Sweden. They came from behind in Kalmar against the second seeds to win 3-1. Italy, five times winners of the tournament, present the ultimate test for this highlyrated bunch of Irish players. An indication of who will grasp the only guaranteed ticket to the Euro U21 finals in 2021 will be determined by tonight’s outcome. ‘I marked Cutrone when we beat Italy 2-0 in the U19 Euro qualifiers two years ago,’ said Masterson, the QPR defender then on the books of Liverpool. ‘He is bustling forward but the Italians didn’t like us pressing them that day. Italy are a big footballing nation but we’ll be the ones pressing again.’ Kenny has some tough selection calls to make. Wolves playmaker Connor Ronan, on loan with Slovakian outfit Dunajská Streda, should come back into one of the attacking positions. Michael Obafemi is also a contender. Darragh Leahy’s injury creates a vacancy at left-back, with Liam Scales and Kameron Ledwidge battling for a first competitive cap.

EURO 2021 QUALIFIER

Rep of Ireland v Italy, Tallaght Stadium, 8.05pm (Eir Sport)

REP OF IRE (probable): C Kelleher (Liverpool); L O’Connor (Celtic), D O’Shea (West Brom), C Masterson (QPR), L Scales (UCD); J Molumby (Millwall), C Coventry (West Ham United); C Ronan (DAC Dunajská Streda), T Parrott (Tottenham Hotspur), G Kilkenny (AFC Bournemouth); A Idah (Norwich City).