AS ANOTHER training session in Malahide ran well over schedule yesterday, a member of the FAI’s communications department observed that Giovanni Trapattoni simply can’t resist taking advantage of a half-decent day in Ireland. Fortunately, reflected the impatient hacks at the gates outside a little grumpily, we don’t get them too often.
As things wound down the press were eventually allowed in and there was the usual scramble to see who was playing where in the “probables” team. Confusion briefly reigned as Kevin Foley’s presence at right back prompted a slightly frantic search for John O’Shea, who, it turned out, was in midfield because, with everyone training, there were 12 on the team.
Given how well a numerical advantage had worked for the Republic of Ireland against Italy in Bari, it was put to Marco Tardelli that Trapattoni was aiming for a similar effect from the outset this time. The Italian chuckled, then observed: “No. There were 12 players without bibs either.”
With Richard Dunne and Seán St Ledger safely back in action, the real news was the continued presence of Liam Lawrence on the right side of midfield where, it looks increasingly likely, he will be deployed in order to limit the influence of left-back Fabio Grosso.
The 31-year-old Juventus player is a key figure for the world champions. He can, as he did against Bulgaria last month or against Germany in the semi-final of the World Cup three years ago, score important goals.
“In the last match against Bulgaria, he played very, very well . . . but maybe Bulgaria underperformed,” Tardelli said. “Grosso is a player who is very physically strong. He plays more offensive and he crosses the ball very well. He is a difficult to play against, Grosso, but I think we have a good player to do it.”
Tardelli is not one to step on the toes of his boss and he dutifully pointed out that Lawrence’s place in the starting line-up remains very much a matter for Trapattoni to decide. But he did say enough to suggest there is a feeling within the camp that the Stoke City midfielder might be the one best equipped to hamper the left-back’s forward momentum.
“We think Lawrence is a good player with good experience,” he said. “And on the left side of the Italian side is a good player, Fabio Grosso. Lawrence is a strong player.”
The return of Dunne and St Ledger means Ireland are unlikely to have any further injury concerns ahead of the game, and, given the length of time the rest of the squad have been spending out on the training ground in recent days, it might actually be as well that both of Trapattoni’s expected starters in central defence have even had to take things a little easy.
For the less experienced of the pair, the aim will be to turn in something approaching a repeat of his competitive debut in Sofia in June when he and Dunne coped well during periods of sustained pressure from the hosts.
Since then, the 24-year-old has settled quickly into his senior international status and, he reckons, benefited from it on the club front with his recent move to Middlesbrough a kind of acknowledgement of his growing reputation within the game.
“You do become a little bit more high-profile,” he said when asked about how things have changed over the course of his five-match stint with the Republic. “And if I get the chance to play on Saturday, even more so. People will scrutinise you, hammer you or say you’re good! That’s just part and parcel of football.
“It’s a very opinionated game and, sitting in this room now, everyone will have a different opinion about me and about what team Mr Trapattoni should play. That’s just the way it is.”
It was, he admits, a major disappointment not to be involved in the Bari game, but Italy at Croker, he observes, is not a bad setting for your first senior game in Dublin.
“I haven’t been in it yet but I’ve been past it and it’s an absolute monster of a stadium and I’m sure the atmosphere will be great. I’m sure it’s going to be nice and loud.
“It’s my dad’s (Raymond) birthday on Saturday, too, so he’s coming over,” he continues. “It should be a good day for him – but it will be better if we get three points. But, like I say, it’s a huge game, in front of a huge crowd – it’s what all footballers dream of.
“And there’s a real chance of going to the World Cup – that’s the highest pinnacle of anyone’s football career. We’ve got to take it in both hands and grasp it.”