Ireland's system facing forensic examination

SOCCER ANALYST:Giovanni Trapattoni will be highly motivated to oversee an effective performance from his side in his homeland but it could be a long night in Bari, writes Brian Kerr

BACK IN May of 2008, prior to Giovanni Trapattoni’s first game, against Serbia, the Italian stated: “Success is more important than to play well.”

I suggested back then the implementation of his career-long defensive caution and conservative style might lead to more consistent results. The general populace is grumbling but, especially on the road, this can prove crucial to qualifying.

Having already garnered four points from a draw in Montenegro and win in Mainz, Germany, against Georgia, a total that was two shy of the expected six points, tonight’s task is a true test of the progress there has been, if any, doing it the Trap way.

The manager set out his stall in those games and nothing has changed since, tactically. We were defensively sound enough in both away games, the back four being well protected by the restricted holding positions of Glenn Whelan and Stephen Reid.

Aiden McGeady, Stephen Hunt, Kevin Doyle and Robbie Keane provided the only attempts at getting into attacking positions.

Neither Georgia nor Montenegro have suggested since they were anything to write home about; neither have won a game from 10 outings so far. But taking on Italy away from home is an entirely different proposition.

The anticipation around this fixture can be compared to other away championship games in this century: Netherlands (2-2), Portugal (1-1), France (0-0) and Germany (0-1) were the previous opponents of significant standing.

In each of these games the team gave a rousing, inspired performance for the huge travelling support, with the only defeat coming under Steve Staunton’s watch in Germany.

Bari, as a city, may not compare historically or culturally to Amsterdam, Lisbon, Paris and Stuttgart (from an Irish perspective) but I would still expect the levels of nervous anticipation being felt by players, staff and supporters to help produce a passionate and resilient performance against the world champions.

The games mentioned above were all memorable for an adventurous approach and patient, accurate use of possession allied to clever ball retention, except for the second-half collapse against the Dutch.

Shay Given, John O’Shea, Robbie Keane and Kevin Kilbane remain from that great night in Paris (or was that just me?), with Steve Finnan and Damien Duff injured. Others who played a key role, like Andy Reid (coming on for the injured Clinton Morrison), Andy O’Brien and Stephen Carr are still around but not required by the current manager. Only Kenny Cunningham and Roy Keane have stepped away.

Unfortunately, tonight’s team, on paper and on recent performances, suggests we haven’t got what it takes to produce a similar type of controlled, yet aggressive attacking football that would take the game to the Italians in a slightly odd home venue.

Liam Brady said the Italians always move south if worried about the opposition.

Strangely, the current line-up and style could produce a positive result but it will prove a forensic examination of Trap’s system.

By now the team has adjusted to the tight, two banks of four, defensive walls he consistently expects, where concentration and movement combined with a massive work-rate are essential.

I’d be surprised if we have a lot of possession, given Saturday’s wastefulness and tactics, yet somehow I expect the players to rise to the occasion. The suggestion there is less pressure on the team away from Croke Park is probably correct, with the new environment tending to focus the minds on the challenges of this particular game.

It helps that Italy, under Marcello Lippi, have been forced into a period of reconstruction since winning the World Cup three years ago. Household names like Luca Toni, Alberto Gilardino, Mauro Camoranesi and Gennaro Gattuso are injured.

They seemed content to scrap out a point in Sofia. The absence of so many key men is cause for hope for the travelling Irish but our ability to deal with Daniele De Rossi and the wonderful Andrea Pirlo in a central midfield three will be paramount to survival.

The loss of Finnan’s experience and clever use of the ball compared to Paul McShane and the other fullback options is serious, while the back four could yet be harshly punished by the Italians. One hopes Keith Andrews and Whelan will get a grip on possession but I fear their jobs will be to stifle and frustrate. They are in for a difficult night if the Italians are in the humour to perform tonight.

If McGeady fails to make it, Andy Keogh’s energy will not be enough to trouble the Italian rearguard, although his performance in Germany and against Colombia was satisfactory. Without a vast improvement in distribution and general passing from Saturday it is hard to see how Keane or Doyle can make a significant impact. Their industry and ability will ensure a few chances but more craft and guile is required elsewhere.

One presumes Trapattoni’s knowledge of the Italians players, tactics and mentality will ensure Ireland are very well prepared.

Understandably, he will want to put one over on his former masters, given his reign is generally seen as a failure. This intrigue combined with the Bari public’s frustration with Lippi’s non-selection of controversial local boy Antonio Cassano adds another fascinating angle. Despite all this, what is required is a disciplined collective performance with some imaginative counter-attacking and Doyle’s aerial work producing some chances.

My heart says Ireland have done it before at this level so why not the current group? My head says this could be very hard going, even for a team that’s been quite fortunate under Trapattoni. By God, we would settle for a boring catenaccio-style draw at this point.