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World Cup qualifier: Ireland will go for broke against Germany, says Tardelli

Ireland’s assistant manager said Trap is likely to field a three-man midfield against the Jogi Loew’s side at Lansdowne Rd.

IRELAND’S FOOTBALL FANS may be expecting a long night at Lansdowne Rd this Friday night, but Marco Tardelli says Ireland are confident of upsetting Germany.

Giovanni Trapattoni’s assistant manager insists his side won’t just play for a draw in the crucial World Cup qualifier.

Ireland have been hit with a series of injuries ahead of the Dublin clash and it would be understandable if Giovanni Trapattoni’s team set out to frustrate the Germans rather than risk a heavy defeat by going on the attack against one of the best teams in Europe.

Richard Dunne, Sean St Ledger, Glenn Whelan, James McClean and Kevin Doyle have all been ruled out and Shay Given and Damien Duff are absent having announced their retirements from international football.

Joachim Loew’s side are currently in second place in FIFA’s world rankings and are heavy favourites to win Group C. But Tardelli is adamant the hosts will go for the victory at Lansdowne Road.

“We will try to win, it’s normal for us,” he said on Tuesday. “If we can win against Germany, it will be important for the team and for the country.

“A draw? I don’t know. It is better to wait and see. The Germans are a strong team, they are very quick and they play very well with their wingers because they cut in with their strikers. We know that Germany is a very good team and we have many problems, but we need to believe it’s possible to play against all teams.”

Tardelli also confirmed that Trapattoni is likely to field a three-man midfield against the Germans in a bid to combat the threat of Real Madrid playmaker Mesut Ozil.

“We put three midfielders on the pitch and one midfielder is for Ozil,” Tardelli said. ”We need to change something against Germany because the Germans are a very strong team and play 4-3-3. Maybe it’s possible to play 4-3-3.”

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    Mute Sam Walsh
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    Jun 18th 2018, 10:23 AM

    Yes and yes. Was also great to see Tom Parsons on last nights panel.

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    Mute EnKy
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    Jun 18th 2018, 10:53 AM

    @Sam Walsh: Be it on the Sunday Game last night or at the last Mayo match or on Off the Ball, every appearance he’s made since the injury would make you admire the man and his positivity. A tireless battler on the pitch and clearly the same off it.

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    Mute funkytown
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    Jun 18th 2018, 11:33 AM

    @EnKy: a honest player.

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    Mute Gearoid O Laoi
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    Jun 18th 2018, 10:32 AM

    Shane Walsh was the best player on the pitch in the Hyde by a country mile. There was no other contenders.

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    Mute Conor Noonan
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    Jun 18th 2018, 12:14 PM

    I thought John conlon would get it, his having a great year so far, a man with the strenght of 2 horses as buff egan would say !!!!

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    Mute Ray Farrell
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    Jun 18th 2018, 11:17 AM

    Tony Kelly for me, drove Clare on in the second half.

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    Mute Ciarán
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    Jun 18th 2018, 2:47 PM

    Shanahan had a great game no doubt but it’s easy look good as the spare man. Saw it a lot over the last few years with Waterford sweepers picking up heaps of man of the match awards. Conlon for me for consistency over the game. If Kelly could consistently play for 70 the way he did in the second half he’d never fail to win a MOTM again

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    Mute Jeremy McCarthy
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    Jun 18th 2018, 3:01 PM

    @Ciarán: Bill cooper all day long. Won the match for Cork nearly on his own.

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