The supposedly ‘weakened’ Italy starting XI to face Ireland is still scarily strong

Nine changes and you'd barely even notice.

Antonio Conte is going to make a host of changes to his side ahead of Ireland's crunch game on Wednesday night. The game means nothing to Italy who have already topped the group. It means everything to Ireland who must win or they're going home. https://twitter.com/SportsJOEdotie/status/745357157663674368 However, whilst the speculation is that the incoming Chelsea manager will make as many as nine changes to his team that started against Sweden, it doesn't seem to affect the prestige of the side too much. It appears the talk from the Irish camp wasn't just talk. It's true, whatever side the Italians deploy will be strong. The team rumoured to line up against Martin O'Neill's men on Wednesday evening still boasts the following:

• 224 caps
• 22 top flight league titles
• 31 domestic cup titles
• 1 World Cup
• 1 Club World Cup
• 2 Champions League titles
• 1 Europa League title
• An average age of 26.8

It's true. They have depth. Italy made just one change between their Belgium and Sweden victories, poor Matteo Darmian the only man receiving the chop. TEAM v BELGIUM/SWEDEN Ahead of the trip to Lille though, nine new names are expected to infiltrate that side with a whole new formation. Only Barzagli and Florenzi are tipped to keep their starting positions from the Sweden match. RUMOURED TEAM v IRELAND So who are these weakened players of the weakened squad then? Because, from where we're standing, there doesn't seem to be too many weak links of the weak links. Look at this for a rundown of a second string prospect. A menacing prospect. Salvatore Sirigu Club: Paris Saint-Germain Age: 29 Caps: 16 Honours: 4 Ligue 1 titles; 6 domestic cup titles; 2 x Ligue 1 Goalkeeper of the Year. Matteo Darmian Club: Manchester United Age: 26 Caps: 23 Honours: 1 FA Cup; 2 x Serie A Team of the Year. Andrea Barzagli Club: Juventus Age: 35 Caps: 58 Honours: 5 Serie A titles; 1 Bundesliga title; 1 Serie C1 title; 1 Serie D title; 5 domestic cup titles; 1 World Cup title; 3 x Serie A Team of the Year. Angelo Ogbonna Club: West Ham United Age: 28 Caps: 11 Honours: 2 Serie A titles; 1 domestic cup title. Alessandro Florenzi Club: Roma Age: 25 Caps: 18 Honours: N/A Mattia De Sciglio Club: AC Milan Age: 23 Caps: 23 Honours: 1 domestic cup title; 1 x Serie A Team of the Year. Thiago Motta Club: Paris Saint-Germain Age: 33 Caps: 28 Honours: 2 La Liga titles; 1 Serie A title; 4 Ligue 1 titles; 10 domestic cup titles; 2 Champions League titles; 1 Club World Cup title. https://twitter.com/FootballPho/status/743854640647770112 Stefano Sturaro Club: Juventus Age: 23 Caps: 2 Honours: 2 Serie A titles; 3 domestic cup titles. Stephan El-Shaarawy Club: Roma Age: 23 Caps: 19 Honours: 1 domestic cup title. Ciro Immobile Club: Sevilla Age: 26 Caps: 14 Honours: 1 Europa League title; 1 Serie B title, 1 domestic cup title; 1 x Serie A top scorer. Simeone Zaza Club: Juventus Age: 24 Caps: 12 Honours: 1 Serie A title; 2 domestic cup titles.