- Ben Blake reports from Versailles
AFTER SEEING HIS TEAM perform excellently in the 1-1 draw with Sweden, Martin O’Neill has been looking ahead to Ireland’s next Euro 2016 matches today.
The Derryman is feeling both “positive and disappointed at the same time” after the Boys in Green went ahead thanks to Wes Hoolahan before Sweden levelled through a Ciaran Clark own-goal.
Elsewhere in Group E, Italy were 2-0 winners over favourites Belgium in Lyon last night. Ireland face the Red Devils in Bordeaux this Saturday before meeting the Azzurri on 22 June and O’Neill is under no illusions that both will prove formidable opponents.
“This idea that Italy are a has-been side has been totally negated,” he told FAI TV. “Italy are a tournament team. We know this from years and years of experience.
“They qualify for competitions because they are a strong footballing nation. They’ve got very good players now and they will be hard.
Belgium have got a real set of individual players. It’s whether they go and gel as a side or not, but they have individuals capable of taking you on and beating you and they play in top class company every single week.”
O’Neill also added that Jon Walters is doubtful for the Belgium game after his tendonitis flared up during last night’s draw.
Listen to The42′s Ben Blake on the 98FM Euro 2016 Daily podcast throughout the tournament
