Long, who scored 13 goals for Southampton in all competitions this season, will meet club mate Graziano Pelle when Ireland take on the Azzurri.
"Hopefully we have two wins under our belt by the time we play Graziano's Italy," the Southampton forward told British media.
"Italy are ... one of the biggest teams in the world so hopefully we don't go into that game needing a win.
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"We've got a tough group. The country will be buzzing behind us. I'm really excited," the 29-year-old said.
Long made two substitute appearances during Ireland's poor Euro 2012 campaign when they lost all three group-stage games.
(Reporting by Ian Rodricks in Bengaluru; Editing by Tony Jimenez)
