GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI WON’T sacrifice his team’s shape to chase valuable goals against the Faroe Islands.
Ahead of a World Cup qualifier in which Ireland badly need to improve their goal difference, the Italian says that instead of playing with an extra attacker, the ones on the pitch simply need to take their chances.
The Faroes arrive in Dublin next week rooted to the bottom of Group C with San Marino the only country to concede more goals per game in this qualifying campaign.
Although the race for second place is currently neck and neck on eight points, Austria are ten goals better off than Ireland while Sweden, who have played a game less than both countries, are four better.
Asked if he would be tempted into a more attacking approach in a bid to cut the deficit, Trapattoni said it shouldn’t be necessary.
In the past we had Damien Duff, Robbie Keane, Doyle, McGeady — four offensive players. The problem is that the offensive man needs to score. It’s not certain that if you have one more, he will score.
“The balance is more important. [Against England], many times we maintained this balance. It’s attitude. We can play three or four or five attackers, but it’s attitude.
“This attitude and spirit in the team attacking England — not the Faroes or a little team that is not famous — that same personality and attitude is important. When we had the ball, we played football. That increases our confidence.”
(©INPHO/Donall Farmer)
Looking back on Wednesday’s 1-1 Wembley draw, Seamus Coleman, James McCarthy and goalscorer Shane Long were again singled out as Trapattoni praised the squad’s newer faces for blossoming under the weight of responsibility.
“Until now they played a few games. They were on the bench or played the second half. When these younger players play, they are conscious.
“They play in the Premier League and in the Championship, against the famous teams, they increase and improve their personality and attitude and self-belief.
“I played football when I was 20 and by 24, I was a very different national player: with more personality in my football.
When you are on the bench, you are not sure. It’s good to be shy but when you play it’s not good to be shy.
