Giovanni Trapattoni is calling in his wealth of experience as Ireland prepare to re-enter the international stage tomorrow.
At 73 years of age the Italian is the oldest coach at Euro 2012 and looking forward to the challenge of leading Ireland into action against Croatia, Spain and Italy.
It’s ten years since Ireland made it through to the final stages of a major competition with the build up to the 2002 World Cup dominated by Roy Keane’s walkout.
Trapattoni hasn’t had any sideshows to distract his attention and is preparing his squad for the unexpected when they face Croatia at tea-time tomorrow.
“Twenty-four hours before the match, the atmosphere is always the same,” the Ireland coach explained. “It doesn’t change whether it’s the championship or the league.
“Twenty years ago, we prepared the same whether it was the UEFA Cup or the last match in the Italian league, it was the same.
“The most important thing is what you feel. We all expect victory, of course, but the question is whether you can avoid mistakes. That is a huge concern because in each match, you want to avoid mistakes.
“This is something unpredictable and something unpredictable can happen in each match. You can prepare for a match in the best way you can, but I always watch matches and I prepare very well, and then there are unpredictable situations.
“In each circumstance, the Irish nation is confident about this team. They fully believe in us. We are really confident, but we have to be aware of that unpredictability.”
Shay Given and John O’Shea have proved their fitness allowing Trapattoni to start with his preferred side of: Given: O’Shea, St Ledger, Dunne, Ward: Duff, Whelan, Andrews, McGeady: Keane (Capt), Doyle.
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