Trapattoni: We have played well in the past

Giovanni Trapattoni has insisted victory is all that matters for the Republic of Ireland in tonight's World Cup qualifier against Austria.

Trapattoni: We have played well in the past

Giovanni Trapattoni has insisted victory is all that matters for the Republic of Ireland in tonight's World Cup qualifier against Austria.

Ireland's away form has been exemplary under the 74-year-old Italian - they are yet to lose a qualifier on the road during his reign to date - but they have struggled to turn the dogged resilience which has served them so well on their travels into expansive football at the Aviva Stadium.

They head into tonight's game brimming with confidence after Friday night's 0-0 draw in Sweden, which kept alive their hopes of claiming second spot in Group C.

However, that point will only prove worthwhile if the Boys in Green add three more to it this evening, and while that may require a different approach, Trapattoni will not throw caution to the wind in the pursuit of a win.

He said: "I saw 20 games before I came to Ireland - I don't remember this 'show'.

"To remember the show, I must go back to Roy Keane and that great team. I played against this strong Ireland team.

"But for 24 years, we had been missing tournaments. I saw many games on DVD and I can't remember seeing this.

"Our team has produced this and we can win. Against France and against the teams in the first qualifying campaign, against Georgia, Montenegro and also Bulgaria, we played great football.

"Don't forget, we have played well in the past."

Trapattoni has never made any apologies for his concentration on substance rather than style, although he went into the game in Stockholm knowing defeat could have signalled the end of his tenure.

His pragmatism will come to the fore once again this evening when he employs striker Connor Sammon alongside Shane Long in the absence of injured skipper Robbie Keane, because he believes the Derby frontman will be better suited to the task of both extending the Austrian defence and closing them down in possession than the more creative Wes Hoolahan.

Provided that left-back Marc Wilson shakes off a groin injury, the Italian's starting XI will see only one further change with Glenn Whelan returning in place of Paul Green.

That will mean only two of the men who started the final Euro 2012 game against Italy in Poznan will remain, largely as a result of retirements and injuries.

Whelan is one, and the other is Sunderland defender John O'Shea, whose experience among so many youngsters could prove vital.

Trapattoni said: "He has personality whether plays right-back or centre-half. He plays always in first team of a Premier League club and has played many games.

"He can also play right-back, but at this moment he will stay at centre-half, where his experience as defender now is important as we missing Richard Dunne."

more courts articles

Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother
Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van
Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman

More in this section

Italy v England - UEFA Euro 2020: Final UEFA to consider increasing Euro 2024 squad sizes at meeting next month
Nottingham Forest 1979 European Cup Winners Larry Lloyd, former Nottingham Forest and Liverpool defender, dies aged 75
Camogie Association targets record-breaking 50,000 All-Ireland final attendance Camogie Association targets record-breaking 50,000 All-Ireland final attendance
Sport Push Notifications

By clicking on 'Sign Up' you will be the first to know about our latest and best sporting content on this browser.

Sign Up
Sport
Newsletter

Latest news from the world of sport, along with the best in opinion from our outstanding team of sports writers

Sign up
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited