GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI’S PRE-match instructions were simple: more of the same.
Ireland go into tonight’s World Cup qualifier against Sweden knowing that if they cannot win, they must not lose. With Austria taking on Group C leaders Germany in Munich, the finely-balanced race for second place will become considerably clearer by the close of play.
And so Trapattoni steered clear of daring predictions in his press conference and instead focused on the spirit of Stockholm and the scoreless draw between the sides last March.
That was a game which Ireland went into fearing the worst but, in hindsight, looked back on as only a point gained when it really might have been three.
They found a Swedish team nothing like the one which mounted a remarkable comeback from 4-0 down to draw against Germany, nor like the one which swashbuckled their way past England a month later.
Ireland’s attempts to disrupt them and stifle Zlatan Ibrahimovic worked while James McCarthy put in a man-of-the-match performance directing the forward traffic.
Something similar is required again.
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“I have watched the game against Sweden and I am convinced that we had good chances to score and to win the game,” Trapattoni said.
“In Stockholm, we played very well. Now we need to repeat the same performance with full commitment.”
Perhaps that explains why Trapattoni has stuck with James McClean on the wing rather than draft in Robbie Brady, Simon Cox or hand a debut to Anthony Pilkington.
McClean was bright in Stockholm and one of Ireland’s better performers as he tried to exploit a weakness down Sweden’s left side. He adds adds much-needed physicality in midfield as well, Trap said, as he explained why it is the Wigan winger who starts opposite Jon Walters.
“At first I thought we would play with four strikers [Cox and Walters] but the second time, I thought three strikers was enough. During the game, changing to the other option could be very important. During the game I can choose to have other tactical opportunities. That is the reason.
“In Sweden, yes, he played well. He is also physically strong and this will be a physical, but also technical, game against Sweden. They are strong physically.”
Ireland’s main injury concern this week, Marc Wilson (ankle), is fit to take his place at left-back while David Forde starts in goal after he came through training in Malahide without any recurrence of his knee injury.
And there is a massive psychological boost with the news that Richard Dunne is fit and ready to take his place alongside John O’Shea at the heart of the Irish defence, winning his 78th cap on what will be his first competitive international appearance since Euro 2012.
Ibrahimovic: all smiles in the Aviva Stadium yesterday (INPHO/Lorraine O’Sullivan)
If there are any doubts about Dunne’s readiness or his ability to stay the course, Trapattoni allayed them yesterday saying “for me Richard is the same as before the injury,” words intended to evoke memories of Moscow in 2011.
A performance of that magnitude might be necessary to keep Sweden’s star man Ibrahimovic in check. The Paris Saint-Germain striker has scored four goals already this campaign but Ireland succeeded in limiting his influence in Stockholm and now need to do so again.
“Players like Ibra, like Messi, like Robbie, they have a feel for goal,” Trap explained, comparing the challenge to the one he faced as a player when marking Pele.
“Ibra is Ibra. He can score, he can play where he wants: play back, play striker. It will be important for us not to control only him because there are other players. There is [Sebastian] Larsson, there is the Sweden team.
“For us it will be very, very important to repeat the game we played in Sweden because we had two or three great chances and we could have won. It will be important to repeat this game.”
Ireland: David Forde; Seamus Coleman, Richard Dunne, John O’Shea, Marc Wilson; Jon Walters, Glenn Whelan, James McCarthy, James McClean; Shane Long, Robbie Keane (c).
I think there’s a new confidence amongst the players and that’s transferring to the fans; after the draw in Stockholm there’s no reason why we can’t beat them tonight
COYBIG
I fancy us for this. Sweden are a bit of a one trick pony. I can see Coleman having a stormer down the flank and McCarthy bossing the middle. Keane is in great form too.
After the miserable run at the start of the campaign this team is bubbling away nicely now. We were extremely unlucky not to beat Austria and Sweden already. They are no great shakes.
Believe in the boys tonight. Believe in us in Vienna. Believe in the green army sipping caipirinhas in Sao Paulo/ Rio next summer!!!
And we’re better away from home.
I fancy us in Vienna…just wanna get thru’ tonight and not lose.
I think we can win tonight if we play them like we did in Stockholm…..worry is we are less assured at home when we need to take the game to the opposition.
This is an appalling article not one mention of Brian O’Driscoll anywhere, bad enough Gatland snubbed him now Trapp has done the same. Can someone please think of the children.
Correction there fella Football use to be watchable, now it’s played by over Pre-Madonnas that spend more time rolling round or trying to get each other sent off.
Jonathan Walters on the wing is the wrong choice, he’s a great player I’d rather see McClean on the right with Pilkington on the left. Either way this is a game we need to win. Come on Ireland!!
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I think there’s a new confidence amongst the players and that’s transferring to the fans; after the draw in Stockholm there’s no reason why we can’t beat them tonight
COYBIG
@ Ronan..so here’s to sending Sweden flat packing home..:-)
I know absolutely nothing about football nor have I any interest but I sincerely wish the team and supporters all the very best of luck.
I fancy us for this. Sweden are a bit of a one trick pony. I can see Coleman having a stormer down the flank and McCarthy bossing the middle. Keane is in great form too.
After the miserable run at the start of the campaign this team is bubbling away nicely now. We were extremely unlucky not to beat Austria and Sweden already. They are no great shakes.
Believe in the boys tonight. Believe in us in Vienna. Believe in the green army sipping caipirinhas in Sao Paulo/ Rio next summer!!!
COYBIG!!!
WE WILL ALWAYS HAVE SOPOT!!!
This is an appalling article not one mention of Brian O’ Driscoll anywhere. Bad enough he was left out of Gatlands team now Trapp has done the same.
Had to say it twice i was so appalled.
Spirit of a nil all in a game that we didn’t push for victory when it was they’re for the taking…..
Regardless of tonight I fear a hiding on Tuesday in vienna
We should have beaten both Sweden and Austria. We have nothing to fear from these teams!
And we’re better away from home.
I fancy us in Vienna…just wanna get thru’ tonight and not lose.
I think we can win tonight if we play them like we did in Stockholm…..worry is we are less assured at home when we need to take the game to the opposition.
“Quit-it with those negative-waves, Moriarty!”
Tom? The hell is up with your picture man? Put some clothes on ffs
That better….
This is an appalling article not one mention of Brian O’Driscoll anywhere, bad enough Gatland snubbed him now Trapp has done the same. Can someone please think of the children.
Here funboy…. No rugby tripe today, Football a real sport is the only important thing today
Correction there fella Football use to be watchable, now it’s played by over Pre-Madonnas that spend more time rolling round or trying to get each other sent off.
She’s 50, so technically the only pre-Madonnas there are Trap and Tardelli.
Or even, prima donnas.
What exactly would a Pre-Madonna be, I wonder…?
A virgin?
Anytime BEFORE “Lucky star”
Ireland have pulled it out of the fire in the past, no reason we can’t do it tonight. COYBIG!
We’ll go out all guns blazing the first 5 mins and then we’ll just sir back and give the ball away.. Playing Walters on the wing is a big mistake..
Jonathan Walters on the wing is the wrong choice, he’s a great player I’d rather see McClean on the right with Pilkington on the left. Either way this is a game we need to win. Come on Ireland!!
“If we cannot win, we must not lose” Take Zlatan out of the team and they are average…..we are well capable of a win COYBIG
It’s a very strong team we’re putting out I think it’s 3 points