GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI IS in absolutely no doubt about the importance of what is arguably Ireland’s most winnable match: he described tomorrow’s game against Croatia as “critical”.
“There are some reasons why it is critical. Sometimes, the preparation is not the best and some clubs and nations played until the end of May, so most have to recuperate some injuries.
“The second aspect is enthusiasm and the credibility of a team. If you win the first match, you get motivation and enthusiasm. In this way you can avoid criticism. Only in this way you are still convinced and, of course, you can reach this goal. So these two aspects are really critical to our situation. That’s why the first match is so important to get through the qualifying rounds.”
Otherwise, Trapattoni was in reflective and relaxed mood as he got to mostly commandeer his pre-game press conference in his native Italian.
It allowed him to be much more philosophical.
“Yesterday, I quoted from a famous general. ‘No matter what the age is, those who remain young are the ones who want to attain goals. That is my character basically. And I got a real life lesson from Gianni Agnelli.’
“The most important is that the team present themselves on the pitch.”
As for the team that will, indeed, present themselves on that pitch, Trapattoni confirmed – as expected – that it will be the same XI that started against Hungary.
The manager also made sure to once again mention his pride in representing Ireland, something that is becoming a very common theme in this campaign.
“I’m really grateful to the Irish people because they believe in this project. I mean Trapattoni’s project, of course. And, although I don’t want to talk about France, today we are here in Poland, we really gave them [the Irish people] an important satisfaction. I think it was important for me and Marco Tardelli, as Italians, to give Ireland what it has asked for.”
Never know, Trap could say feck it and go all out attack. Surprise the hell out of the croats and us. Unlikely but it would be fun.
Miguel , will you check out the”Thai Tims” on u tube, a group of Thai schoolchildren singing Rocky road to Poland, twud bring a tear from a glass eye, anyway if anyone knows how to get word to the squad in poland and get them to watch this before the play Croatia , they would ate the door of the dressing room,
It’s brilliant – what’s the story behind it
Those Thai children are singing in tribute to their murdered English language teacher.
RIP Reamonn Gormley
http://www.thecelticwiki.com/page/Supporters+-+Reamonn+Gormley
I love Trap..
don’t we all?? time for all negativity to stop… and just get behind the boys in green!!! this is what its all about people… this is what we have all been dreaming about. what a day to be Irish.