Soccer:Rafa Benitez made a few new friends in Dublin this afternoon as he talked up Ireland's Euro 2012 chances but the Spaniard stopped short of saying Giovanni Trapattoni's side will seriously trouble Spain at this summer's finals.
The former Liverpool manager, speaking in Trinity College ahead of an appearance at the Philosophical Society later tonight, was fulsome in his praise of the work Trapattoni has done getting Ireland to a major championship after a 10-year absence.
Addressing the local media, Benitez said he expects Ireland to hold their own in a group containing Spain, Italy and Croatia. “I think they can do well because they have a manager with experience,” he explained.
“And, obviously, when you talk about a competition like this the motivation is the key and Ireland will be extra motivated against Spain. But it won't be easy.
“Spain are playing really well, they have a great manager in Vincente Del Bosque who also has experience and if he has to change something – because people know Spain's style and will try to stop them in different ways – he can change something. I think Spain at this moment are favourites but Ireland, with the great manager they have, will be tough.
“I think Ireland will try to win but to stop Spain now, it depends on the team you have and on your game plan. But how can you guarantee that if you play deep and wait for 90 minutes you will be successful because they have so much quality someone can score a goal.
“Or how can you guarantee that if you go and press high you will be successful because then you leave to much space behind. Each manager will have his own problems and, depending on the team he has, he has to decide.”
Benitez has been linked with a return to the Premier League following the dismissal of Andre Villa-Boas over the weekend but he refused to be drawn on a possible move to Chelsea. The former Liverpool, Valencia and Inter Milan boss is currently out of work and is one of the favourites to succeed Villas-Boas.
The Spaniard, who won the Champions League with the Reds in 2005, confirmed he wants to get back into the game at the highest level but, aside from offering his sympathy to Villas-Boas, he was careful not to talk directly about Chelsea.
“I don’t like to see any manager lose a job,” he added. “Before, people were more patient but now you have to win almost every week. I have experience in Spain and Italy and it is even worse there, after two or three games you are under pressure.
“I would like to have in the future a top side, a top club that can fight for titles and challenge. That was my idea when I came to Liverpool, after I went to Inter it was the same and Valencia was the same. My experience is in the Champions League, to challenge and to try and win trophies.”
