Republic of Ireland assistant manager Roy Keane “would pay to watch” Italy and has “always been a fan of Italian football.”
The two nations will face off on Wednesday evening in their Group E game at Euro 2016.
As the Nazionale have a 100 per cent record so far and have qualified top of the group, wholesale changes are expected.
“I really enjoy watching Italy. I would pay to go and watch them,” declared Keane.
Republic of Ireland assistant manager Roy Keane “would pay to watch” Italy and has “always been a fan of Italian football.”
The two nations will face off on Wednesday evening in their Group E game at Euro 2016.
As the Nazionale have a 100 per cent record so far and have qualified top of the group, wholesale changes are expected.
“I really enjoy watching Italy. I would pay to go and watch them,” declared Keane.
“We were talking about it with the staff. They look like they really enjoy defending, it is not a chore to them, they are getting blocks in where you think, 'they're in trouble here'.
“The system they play seems to suit them, there is a swagger about them.”
According to Keane, this bond with the Azzurri goes way back.
“I used to watch the Channel 4 stuff going back to when Gazza was there and Maradona was at Napoli.
“I have always been a fan of Italian football and always enjoyed playing against their teams.
“We had some tough games against Milan and Juventus, and for all the accusations against them, I always thought they were tough boys.”
The most famous time Ireland faced Italy in a major tournament group tie was 1994, when the boys in green earned a shock 1-0 victory.
“The reality was we were home a few weeks later and Italy got to the final. So that is Italian football for you,” added Keane.
He'll have one very star-struck fan on Wednesday, as Daniele De Rossi professed his love for Keane.