Buffon banks on beating Ireland

Italy captain Gianluigi Buffon is hopeful that a win against the Republic of Ireland will be enough for his team to progress to the quarter-finals of Euro 2012.

The Azzurri have drawn their opening two games against Spain and Croatia and are two points adrift of both sides heading into their last Group C clash with the Irish, who have no chance of progressing after back-to-back defeats.

Croatia’s second-half equaliser against the Italians yesterday means Cesare Prandelli’s team no longer control their own destiny.