Good evening and thank you for joining Sports Mole for live text commentary of the International friendly between Italy and the Republic of Ireland at Craven Cottage.

The Italians play their first warm-up match for this summer's tournament against an Ireland side looking to bounce back from consecutive defeats. Last weekend's 2-1 defeat against Turkey means that Martin O'Neill has won just one of his four matches as Ireland manager, and with their European Championship campaign getting underway in September, he will be looking for a response from his players. Both manages have revealed their teams for this evening's match, so let's take a look at the starting lineups.

ITALY XI: Sirigu, De Sciglio, Bonucci, Paletta, Darmian, Marchisio, Verratti, Motta, Montolivo, Rossi, Immobile

IRELAND XI: Forde, Coleman, O'Shea, Pearce, Ward, McGeady, Hendrick, Meyler, Pilkington, Hoolahan, Long

TEAM NEWS: Giuseppe Rossi has been given the chance to book his place in Italy's World Cup squad, as he starts upfront alongside Ciro Immobile. Cesare Prandelli also hands a debut to Torino full back Matteo Darmian, while Marco Verratti and Gabriel Paletta will be among those looking to impress. With many of Italy's usual starting XI missing, the likes of Leonardo Bonucci, Thiago Motta, Claudio Marchisio and Riccardo Montolivo will offer the experience this evening.

Meanwhile, Martin O'Neill has made five changes to Ireland side that played against Turkey. David Forde, Alex Pearce, Jeff Hendrick, David Meyler and Anthony Pilkington all come into the starting XI. Shane Long has again been chosen to lead the Ireland attack with Robbie Keane missing and Anthony Stokes ruled out through injury.

Of course Ireland will not be making the trip to Brazil this summer after finishing fourth in their qualifying group. They ended their campaign six points behind Sweden, who made the play offs, and a further 14 points behind Group C winners Germany. In stark contrast, Italy won their group without losing a match as they booked their place at a 13th consecutive World Cup.

Italy manager Cesare Prandelli has said that will make a decision on his final 23-man squad for the World Cup after tonight's match. There is much speculation about who will be on the plane to Brazil, and the players most at threat of being cut from the 30-man preliminary squad are expected to come from the frontline. There are currently seven forwards in the squad, but surely only a maximum of five will be going to the tournament.

Mario Balotelli should lead the attack in their opening game against England, but it is less clear what other strikers will be in the side. It seems likely that Antonio Cassano will play a key role in Brazil as he has looked rejuvenated for Parma this season, with his 12 goals in Serie A helping his side to finish sixth in the league. Another player who has had a fantastic campaign is Ciro Immobile. The Torino man finished the season as Serie A 's top goalscorer and it would prove to be a shock if he was axed. The next place in the side depends a lot on the fitness of Giuseppe Rossi. He spent four months out injured, but returned to score twice for Fiorentina in the final weeks of the season. If he doesn't make the cut then one of Mattia Destro, Lorenzo Insigne or Alessio Cerci will take his place.

These teams last met in the group stages of Euro 2012, with Italy running out 2-0 winners. Antonio Cassano headed them in front before half time and Mario Balotelli volleyed in a late second to book his side's place in the quarter-finals. The previous year it was Ireland who were victorious, as goals from Keith Andrews and Simon Cox gave them a surprise victory in a friendly match played in Liege.

PREDICTION: With Italy missing a number of their key players this evening, the Irish will see it as a chance to grab another memorable win. Prandelli has by no means named a weak lineup and Immobile and Rossi are two strikers capable of punishing any lapses in concentration. O'Neill's side have not had the best of luck in their last two matches, but I feel that they are capable of getting a decent result here tonight, with a 1-1 draw how I see things finishing.

The players are out on the pitch and the national anthems for each country are taking place. Kick off is just moments away!

KICKOFF! We are underway at Craven Cottage!

Italy have started this game strongly and as expected they are seeing plenty of the ball in midfield. They nearly get in behind when Verratti sprays a wonderful ball wide for Darmian, but his cross is deflected behind for a corner.

From the resulting corner, the ball is played to the edge of the box where Immobile fires in a volley that looks to hit Ward on the hand. The referee doesn't give anything and the Irish are able to clear the danger.

Verratti has shown some wonderful touches so far and he plays a stunning pass over the top for Immobile. The Torino man's first touch isn't the best though, as he allows Forde to come out and bravely collect the ball at his feet.

CHANCE! It's all Italy at the moment and Marchisio unleashes a fierce drive from 25 yards out that looks to be heading towards the top corner, but Forde does brilliantly to turn the ball wide of the post.

Ireland are struggling to get hold of the ball and have not yet had a significant spell of possession so far. They are being closed down quickly and Pearce gives away a free kick inside his own for a foul on Montolivo following a heavy touch.

It looks like Montolivo is going to have to come off as he is still down following that challenge. Prandelli is not going to take any risks, with Aquilani set to come on.

The physios are on and are still looking at Montolivo. He is on a stretcher and will hope that this injury is not serious enough to rule him out of the World Cup.

SUBSTITUTION: The change is finally made, with Montolivo stretchered off to be replaced by Fiorentina midfielder Aquilani.

As soon as we hear any information regarding Montolivo's injury we will be sure to let you know. The challenge by Pearce was not especially late or reckless, but his first poor touch meant that he was always going to struggle to win back the ball.

A controversial moment here as the ball is flicked through to Long who is brough down by Sirigu. The referee had already blown his whistle though, for a foul that took place outside the box.

CHANCE! Pilkington goes for goal from the free kick, but his low strike into the bottom corner is beaten away by Sirigu.

The match has resumed the pattern that we saw in the opening stages, with Italy's midfield controlling the play. Veratti has looked very impressive and is certainly making a claim for a spot in Prandelli's final 23-man World Cup squad.

CHANCE! Meyler comes close for the Irish as he picks up the ball in space just outside the box, before lashing in a strike that is tipped over the bar by the keeper.

Things aren't going too well for Italy on the injury front this evening. Having already seen one midfielder stretchered off, Aquilani is on the sidelines with an ice pack being held against his head.

Ireland have started to see a lot more of the ball and Pilkington does brilliantly to work his way to the edge of the box, before seeing his strike deflect wide. Moments later Long bursts down the right and as he looks to charge into the box, Paletta gets a foot in to clear the ball behind for a corner.

The corner is whipped into the middle and Italy only manage to clear it to the edge of the box, where Hendrick drills in a low strike that heads wide of the post.

CHANCE! What a chance for Ireland to take the lead. They play some brilliant football outside the Italy box, before finding Ward free down the left hand side. He then whips a low ball across the six-yard box that is just beyond the reach of any of his teammates, with Sirigu helplessly watching it go wide.

CHANCE! Ireland are full of confidence now and McGeady stands the ball up for Long, who is left unmarked at the back post. The striker makes good contact with the ball, but his header is saved by Sirigu, who holds on at the second time of asking.

SUBSTITUTION: Aquilani does indeed have to be substituted, with Parolo coming on to take his place in midfield.

Italy's attacking players are not enjoying the best of nights so far. Rossi and Immobile in particular have really struggled to get into the game, with the Irish defence led by O'Shea keeping them at bay.

Ireland have been really impressive at times in this first half and they are not afraid to attack this Italian backline. Their latest chance on goal sees Hendrick work his way to the edge of the box, before firing a strike high over the bar.

CHANCE! Italy come close as Immobile is picked out with an inch-perfect ball over the top, but Forde is out quickly to ensure he can't get a shot away.

We are going to have five minutes of stoppage time following the injuries to Montolivo and Aquilani.

For large parts of this first half it has been pretty easy for the Irish defence to deal with Italy's threat. Without Balotelli, they lack a real physical presence in attack that their two forwards this evening can't match.

The whistle is blown for half time and we are goalless between Italy and Ireland at Craven Cottage. The Italians have seen plenty of the ball, but O'Neill's men have impressed in attack and have created the better chances of the two teams.

The big headlines from this match will undoubtedly be the injuries suffered by Montolivo and Aquilani. Aquilani appeared to be suffering from concussion so his substitution seemed to be a more cautionary measure. As for Montolivo, there was real concern from the sidelines as he had to be stretchered off with a serious looking injury.

Looking at the half-time statistics, Italy have clearly been in command of the ball, with 69% of the possession. The Irish have been able to create more of the chances though, with nine shots on goal compared to their opponents' six strikes. In fact, Marchisio's shot in the first five minutes has been Italy's only effort on target.

Ahead of the second half, both managers may be thinking about changing things around. Fans at Craven Cottage would love to see an appearance from Balotelli, who is one man that can always make the difference.

The second half is just moments away from getting started, with the players making their way back out onto the pitch.

We are back underway at Craven Cottage!

CHANCE! It's almost a wonderful start to the second half for Ireland. Hoolahan steals the ball in the centre of midfield from Motta, before driving forward and feeding it through to Long. The striker then drills in a low strike, but Sirigu does well to palm his effort away.

CHANCE! Ireland are brimming with confidence and they are close again when Pilkington cuts in from the left, before firing an effort across goal and just wide of the far post. O'Neill must be delighted by the way that his team have played this evening.

It is now Italy who are struggling to get on the ball, with Ireland looking very confident in possession. There is plenty of space opening up in the midfield, that the likes of McGeady and Long seem keen to exploit.

GOAL DISALLOWED! Italy have the ball in the net, but it is ruled out for an offside. Rossi broke free down the right and picked out Immobile at the back post, but he was standing a yard offside as he slotted the ball home.

SUBSTITUTION: That was Immobile's last piece of action in this match, as Cassano comes on to replace him.

SUBSTITUTION: Ireland also make a change, with McClean coming on for Pilkington.

It looks like De Rossi is about to come on for Italy, as he ties up his boots on the sidelines. The Italians could do with his experience to regain control of the midfield.

CHANCE! Italy threaten as Cassano's corner is met at the front post by Bonucci, but the defender puts his header narrowly over the bar.

SUBSTITUTION: De Rossi does indeed come on for Italy replaces Motta.

Darmian has enjoyed a good debut for Italy this evening at right back, and he does well to get to the byline, before driving into the box and forcing a shot that is deflected wide.

CHANCE! Some wonderful build up play from Italy sees Rossi pick out Cassano just inside the box. He then sees the run of Marchisio, who arrives to fire in a low strike that is kept out by Forde.

SUBSTITUTION: Ireland make their second change of the evening, with Quinn replacing Hoolahan.

SUBSTITUTION: The managers continue to ring the changes and Cerci is on for Italy in place of Rossi.

Italy are really starting to put the pressure on Ireland now and it is only some brilliant last-ditch tackles that keep Cerci and Cassano from getting in behind.

SUBSTITUTION: Ireland make a change to their forward line, as Long comes off to be replaced by Cox.

It has been a while since Ireland created a notable chance in the second half, but they have a sight of goal when McGeady is picked out unmarked in the box. He connects with the ball, but makes a mess of the header and Italy manage to clear.

OFF THE BAR! Ireland come agonizingly close to taking the lead, as Quinn is picked out inside the box by McClean, before lashing a strike against the bar. The ball then falls kindly to McGeady, who sees his low effort saved by Sirigu.

Marchisio has had the best of the Italian's chances on goal this evening and bursts into the box to meet Cerci's knock down, but from a tight angle, he can only drill his strike high over the bar.

SUBSTITUTION: Meyler makes way, with Green coming on for Ireland to play the last five minutes.

SUBSTITUTION: Italy make their final change of the night, as Abate comes on to replace Darmian.

Ireland are finishing the game strongly and Cox is slipped into the box, before getting to the byline and drilling a low shot across the box, that the keeper does well to gather.

We are going to have three minutes of stoppage time.

Italy will have a corner after some good work from Abate. They've got plenty of players fowrad with Cassano set to deliver.

CHANCE! The corner is whipped into the middle, but Ireland manage to clear it behind. From the resulting set piece, the corner is quickly taken to Cerci, who cuts inside before lashing a fierce effort wide of the far post.

Referee Michael Oliver blows the final whistle and brings the game to an end. It finishes in a goalless draw, but both teams had plenty of chances to make the breakthrough, with Quinn hitting the bar for Ireland late on.

Of course the big talking point will be the injury that was suffered by Riccardo Montolivo. The AC Milan midfielder will be hoping that it is not serious enough to keep him out of the World Cup.

Italy will now have one more friendly before they travel to Brazil, as they host Luxemburg at the Stadio Renato Curi in Perugia. Ireland themselves are in friendly action, with a trip to the USA next week for fixtures against Costa Rica and Portugal.

That's all we've got time for here this evening. Please stay with us at Sports Mole as we bring you live coverage of Carl Froch and George Groves's rematch at Wembley Stadium. I hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend. Goodbye!