Andrew Allen
21 October 2009 - 17:09
by Andrew Allen
Giovanni Trapattoni & Ireland’s Mission Possible
“Our team believes. I am not God but I have many experiences and it is possible to achieve anything. In Italy, there is a saying that there’s no point in making excuses before something happens. We have improved and our aim is South Africa.”
Giovanni Trapattoni, October 2009
Having not qualified for a major tournament finals since Mick McCarthy’s men reached the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea it will be a momentous juncture for the Republic of Ireland if they can overturn France in next month’s two-legged qualifier to secure a place in South Africa next year.
On paper the Boys in Green face an uphill struggle, but as the old maxim goes - football isn’t played on paper, it is played on grass. Granted France are not the force they were at the turn of the century, but ranked ninth by FIFA in the latest rankings they still sit 25 places above an Irish side whose reputation as a force to be feared has taken something of a bashing since the playing days of Liam Brady.
Of course the legendary Brady isn’t out of the picture just yet; a Highbury hero and a distinguished star of Serie A, the 53-year-old was drafted back into the Irish set-up as translator/coach as soon as Italian coach Giovanni Trapattoni took over the reigns at Croke Park twenty months ago. The transformation in fortunes, while thus far stopping short of remarkable, has at least been worthy of merit. Charged with retrieving a team from the wreckage of Steve Staunton's reign and face with beating Italy to the single automatic qualification spot in Group Eight, Ireland pushed the reigning world champions to a penultimate game showdown before seeing their dreams cruelly crushed in the dying seconds by Alberto Gilardino’s decisive equaliser.
A living legend
Unbeaten throughout the ten qualifying matches, with four wins and six draws, Ireland represent a solid unit who are both tough to beat on the road and a potent force in front of their enthusiastic home support. Perhaps this shouldn’t come as a surprise given the impressive pedigree of their manager; Giovanni Trapattoni is nothing short of a football behemoth. While the British press may be drooling over the imposing curriculum vitae of Fabio Capello, it is the 70-year-old across the Irish Sea who has truly been there, done that and got the silky replica jersey.
A twelve year playing career with AC Milan which saw him collect two Serie A titles, two European Cups and a Cup Winners’ Cup medal and an international career which included appearances at the 1962 World Cup in Chile would be enough to satiate the ambitions of any man. However, for Trapattoni it was merely the start of his footballing journey; it is as a manager that he has elevated himself into the pantheon of greats. Six Italian league titles with Juventus, success in every European competition (European Cup, UEFA Cup and Cup Winners’ Cup) in which the Old Lady played, a further Serie A and UEFA Cup success with Inter Milan, a Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich before further league victories with Benfica in Portugal and Red Bull Salzburg in Austria.
It adds up to 20 major pieces of silverware in a domestic career which has thus far spanned 30 years. The only blot appears to be his four year stint in charge of Italy’s Azzurri which despite embracing two major Finals (2002 World Cup and 2004 European Championship) ended in early and disappointing exits.
With an opportunity to experience the World Cup, for what would surely be the final time, overturning an out-of-form France must represent a mouth-watering prospect for Trapattoni. So what does he need to do to lead Ireland to success?
Defensive strength
For a start, prudent pragmatism and defensive solidity are a necessity over the course of the two-legs. Both qualities have been apparent throughout the group stages with Trapattoni acknowledging the limitations of his squad and choosing to focus on the gritty simplicity that served as the backbone of his world beating domestic sides.
With the first-rate Shay Given between the sticks, Richard Dunne and John O’Shea a dependable duo and Sean St Ledger emerging as a useful addition, the Irish conceded a measly eight goals in qualification - only one more than the traditional masters of defence Italy. Keeping a clean sheet at Croke Park in the first leg against Raymond Domenech’s men is a necessity, especially given the nature of the away goals rule.
It will be no mean feat given the attacking flair with which Les Bleus have become well known; Barcelona’s Thierry Henry, Bayern Munich’s Franck Ribery, Chelsea’s Nicolas Anelka, Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema and Toulouse star Andre-Pierre Gignac are a quintet more than capable of destroying even the most mobile of defensive units.
Controlled energy
The Irish midfield, which will more than likely include the likes of Hull duo Stephen Hunt and Kevin Kilbane, Sunderland pair Andy Reid and Liam Lawrence, Fulham’s Damien Duff and Celtic’s Aiden McGeady have a tidy mix of pace, trickery and workmanlike energy. Coordination of this vigour will be the key, with competition in the tackle against Lassana Diarra, Patrick Vieira and Jeremy Toulalan vital. At all costs a restriction must be placed on the passage of balls to wide areas where the likes of Ribery, Malouda, Henry and Anelka all thrive.
The more the situation is tactically analysed, the more the task appears daunting and yet the Irish can call on several historical instances where they have pulled a rabbit out of the hat and inspired themselves to results against the odds. The draw against Holland and penalty success against Romania in World Cup 1990, the infamous Ray Houghton inspired 1-0 win against Italy in the 1994 World Cup, defeat of Holland at Lansdowne Road in 2001 and the subsequent snatched draw against Germany in the 2002 World Cup all summoned reserves of courage and heart that outmatched their opponents. Similar efforts will be required to overturn France in the first leg before holding out in Paris on November 18th.
Route One
Critics in the Irish press have pointed to Ireland’s tendency to rely on long hoofed balls up to Robbie Keane and Kevin Doyle, but ask any fan of Wimbledon’s Crazy Gang era or indeed the current Stoke City side and the ends often justify the means. That’s not to say that the likes of Aiden McGeady and Damien Duff don’t have qualities worthy of a transfer link with Bayern Munich and three years at Chelsea respectively; both men are more than capable of carving up a defence with slide rule balls and dribbling ability, but the truth of the matter is that any goal, by any means will be the key over 180 minutes against France. No Ireland fan will lament a trip to the World cup off the back of a scrappy set piece goal.
Gallic misery
It is also worth noting that the French are not in their current predicament for no reason. Defeat against Austria in their opening Group Eight match set the tone, while draws against Serbia and Romania further irritated. Dissent in the camp has been rife, whether the players publicly admit it or not, and the baying French press have already sharpened their knives for coach Domenech. That the man is still in charge of such a talented group of individuals following their disastrous show at Euro 2008 is amazing…all the more so given his embarrassing decision to propose to his girlfriend live on air in the aftermath of their knockout from the tournament.
With so many good players to pick from, Domenech has struggled to pander to the egos of the most established stars and further stepped on toes by consistently failing to play the likes of Anelka, Ribery and Gourcuff in their best positions. With the Stade de France atmosphere turning increasingly sour during qualification, players (including Manchester United’s Patrice Evra) questioning the French public’s support of the national team and the squad being forced to sign a behavioural charter ensuring courtesy to autograph hunters (!), the French have appeared at times to be pressing the self-destruct button.
It all adds up to a promising set of circumstances for the 82,000 fans which will pack Croke Park on Saturday November 14th. A date with destiny for Ireland, but just another day at the office for the 70-year-old Trapattoni.