Trapattoni sticks to his guns

World Cup play-off:Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni is unlikely to alter his game plan unduly ahead of Wednesday's World Cup play-off second in Paris, maintaining the belief that his side can score the goal they need in Paris.

Ireland lost the home leg to a deflected second half goal by Nicolas Anelka last night, but the 70-year-old saw enough to believe they still have a chance of making it to South Africa next summer.

Speaking from the Republic’s training headquarters in Malahide, the famously cautious Trapattoni insisted there is no need to send out his side with all guns blazing.

“I don’t want to concede five goals, three goals or two goals,” he said. “One-nil is enough to take it to extra-time and maybe penalties. This is a game for calm heads. Okay, take risks in the last few minutes, but if we go forward and concede goals, it’s finished.”

Reflecting on last night’s game, Trapattoni was heartened by the Irish performance and saw enough to suggest an upset is on the cards.

“Football makes us suffer,” he added, “but there is another great opportunity in Paris because France have conceded many goals away and also at home.

“We must think about this situation, this balance, our performance, our mentality and also what they have allowed opponents in the past. They concede goals and like us, they ended in second place in their group — and we think our group was stronger.

“We have to think about the positives situation and not the result because in the end, football can come down to a deflection, the crossbar, the referee — there are many situations which can change the result.

“I don’t wish to speak about luck, but one year, we won a championship with Juventus when an opponent hit the ball against my striker and we scored a goal.

“If you look at our performance last night, we played a good game. I have heard also opinion from Italy and other countries, and they said Ireland played a good game against this France team.”

Trapattoni has no new injury worries, although he admitted some of his players were feeling the after-effects of their efforts to close down France’s dangermen on a heavy pitch.

There was understandably a level of despondency in the dressing room after the game, but by this morning, that had already started to be replaced by a realisation that the first goal at the Stade de France, if it was to go Ireland’s way, could dramatically change the complexion of the tie.

Trapattoni said: “I am confident. The team was a little bit disappointed, sure, but I know my team. They have character, they are proud and we must get the same reaction we have had before.”