EMBATTLED IRELAND COACH Giovanni Trapattoni has blamed tonight’s embarrassing World Cup qualifier defeat on the gulf in physical and technical prowess between his team and Germany.
The Euro 2012 semi-finalists routed Ireland 6-1 at the Aviva Stadium and afterwards, the Italian told RTE:
“They were superior physically. There are 10 players who are 1.85 metres (tall). They’re better physically and technically. We have no excuse.”
When interviewer Tony O’Donoghue put it to the manager that Ireland and Germany have never been equals on the football stage, Trapattoni reaffirmed his reasoning:
“We have no excuse about this defeat because they were clearly superior. Now we have to think about the Faroes, we have to think about our group. Because it’s impossible to think we can arrive before (finish ahead of) the Germans.”
For the first time under the Italian’s management, Ireland line out with a three-man midfield, but it could not hold Germany at bay for long.
“People saw we played 30 minutes with good balance and good position. After the first goal, they became superior,” Trapattoni said, adding that he thought the tactical switch had still proved useful as Ireland would other wise have been overrun even more in midfield.
“We were not able to contain them in midfield, so we couldn’t oppose them over the field because they were the best team – with two strikers, without three in midfield there (would have been) less.”
- Additional reporting by Paul Fennessy.
Fool.
No way back, enough trapp crap. bring back Mick
John Aldridge and Ronnie Whelan to take over…
Just what we need
TWO totally inexperienced managers
Pound for Pound we’ve the worst return from this overpriced manager , than any of his predecessors. The FAI will lose millions from lost sales revenue, from disgruntled fans not buying jerseys, and match tickets.
Pound for Pound the Germans were by far the better team. The only entertainment the paying fans got, was a lesson from the Germans on how football should be played. It was depressing to see the wimpish way we played. I’m sorry if you don’t like this comment, but we played into their hands. Everytime we got the ball, we kicked it up the pitch, and back to them.
Pound for Pound Trapattoni is a light weight. He is old school. The game has evolved, and he has not. His predictability is his weakness.
FAI, please put an end to this despite the cost, Ireland has to recover its dignity, fighting spririt which was no where to be seen in this game, which for me indicates a confidence problem between players and management.