Republic need belief for Euro fightback

Published Monday, 11 June 2012

Giovanni Trapattoni is urging his players to look to their previous record and "believe again", as the Republic of Ireland try to revive their Euro 2012 campaign in the wake of their defeat at the hands of Croatia.

Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni at a Euro 2012 press conference. (© Getty)

The Republic boss admitted his side was outplayed in the first half of Sunday night's game in Poznan, but thought the second half was better.

"It's important we recover psychologically and believe again, because we have to remember how many games we had played without conceding a goal," Trapattoni said, after the 3-1 disappointment.

Changes to the team-sheet could be the way forward, as the Irish side now prepare to take on Spain in Gdansk on Thursday evening.

"We have to think very, very much," Trap said, having fielded his strongest available team against Croatia.

"If I decide to change, it will not be because a player played badly or does not deserve to play. We have another game. Our opponent only drew (Spain 1 - 1 Italy) and has only one point."

Spain will, however, prove a tough test for the Irish - they currently top the FIFA world rankings, while the Republic sit in 18th place.

I respect the Irish team. The Irish team didn't lose for the last 14 matches - they were in a group with Russia, they drew 0-0 in Moscow ... We played very well and we beat a strong team.
Slaven Bilic, Croatia manager

The Republic need at least a point from Thursday's game to have at chance at progression beyond the group stages of the tournament.

"It is obviously going to be tough, but that's football," defender Sean St Ledger, who scored his side's only goal against Croatia, said.

"You're not going to go through tournaments unbeaten - you will lose some. Croatia are in the top ten for a reason.

"There's no better game to come next than Spain. Obviously we'll relish the challenge of the world champions, so why not go and get a result?"

The Republic had previously enjoyed a run of 14 games unbeaten, but the side were undone by goals from Croatia's Mario Mandzukic - including a header that went in off goalie Shay Given - and Nikica Jelavic.

Meanwhile Richard Dunne did not train with his his team-mates in Gdynia on Monday afternoon.

Dunne was limping as he left Poznan's Municipal Stadium after the game.

Trapattoni will hope he recovers in time for Thursday night's crucial encounter with holders Spain in Gdansk. The game kicks off at 7.45pm.

Comments

5 Comments

joe in belfast wrote (347 days ago):

Spain 3 vs ROI O......

Ryan in Belfast wrote (348 days ago):

@John in Antrim, no one can be bothered with your comments of bigotry and downright sectarianism, so do us all a favour and dont comment. Anyway, back to the article, Rep. of Ireland is very able to defeat both Spain and Italy, it has been done before and can be done again. Look at Denmark against Holland? 1-0 to Denmark and with all due respect to the Danes, Holland has a much better team. Giovanni is right, the Irish squad has to believe in themselves. They have to sort out their defence and concentrate on creating chances to score. Good luck the bhoys in Green, all of Ireland is behind you, win or lose. :)

Bryan in Belfast wrote (348 days ago):

Absolutely John. And I bet the people of the ROI will continue to show the same gratitude that they have over the past 40+ years....

Shea in Ballymena wrote (348 days ago):

John is this anything to do with the bail out? No i didn't think so... Mclean from derry? not british? Irish at least he plays for a team that can progress anywhere at the end of the day . Oh and another thing it just wasn't the UK that bailed Ireland out if im not mistaken was it not the european uninon , not just UK , think before you right john.

John in Armagh wrote (348 days ago):

I expect that in the same way the UK helped to bail out the Republic of Ireland with a multi million pound aid package, so to will the Republic have to call upon its UK born bred and trained footballers, McLean and Gibson, to bail them out of this football mess!

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Republic need belief for Euro fightback

Giovanni Trapattoni is urging his players to look to their previous record and "believe again", as the Republic of Ireland try to revive their Euro 2012 campaign in the wake of their defeat at the hands of Croatia.