Trap has the last laugh

MANAGER'S REACTION:FOR THE longest time it was looking like being a night which would offer just the smallest quantum of solace for Giovanni Trapattoni, writes TOM HUMPHRIES

His name brought raucous cheering when announced on the tannoy pre-match. That of his counterpart, Marcello Lippi, drew a hail of boos.

Trapattoni’s side battled well for 87 minutes but looked like getting nothing. And then . . .

You hear him coming. Italian and Irish voices alike calling “Trap, Trap, Trap . . .”

Lippi is winding down after a torrid inquisition from the local hackery and Trapattoni comes into the crowded press room like a conquering general looming comically behind the younger, more urbane man. Giovanni smiles broadly. His moment.

This draw filched on Italian soil is a feather in his cap, a medal on his chest, a chapter in his book, a point proven. Having been railroaded out of his ideal job for being too defensive, he came home to Italy and, when circumstance demanded, he threw three men up front and denied the Italians that to which they are so accustomed, a 1-0 winning margin.

“For 90 minutes,” he said, “a draw is right. We played an hour and 25 minutes against 10 men. After a minute it was very, very difficult to score a goal because the Italian defenders are the best in the world.

“Maybe we could have played better. The Italian supporters felt they could play better, but they held the ball very, very well against 11. We could have made more pressure.”

That red card. Lippi had complained loudly and bitterly of the decision, denying malice.

“I was far away and couldn’t see very well what happened. The ref was close enough. From what I saw on TV it seemed a little harsh.”

Old dogs can learn new tricks. Having endured a hurly-burly opening which saw John O’Shea bloodied, his assailant dismissed and the Irish a goal down, there was nothing left to do but to think up an exit strategy.

Uncharacteristically, Trapattoni made three changes, each one an aggressive playing of the cards at his disposal.

The results weren’t always immediately obvious, but the cumulative effect of six fresh legs’ worth of attacking skill was to wear down the Italians.

“When I need a change of player I go for a new player. When it is necessary I am not afraid of the change. When the team is in balance I don’t change. There has to be a reason to change. Tonight there was a reason.

“We were nervous. We made mistakes in our passing, but I can’t reproach our players because they gave us everything. I stood in that dressingroom afterwards and I saw a very happy team.

“It was a great moment, the goal. If we had scored 10 minutes before we might have scored again. We had the facility when Folan was in to hold the ball up front. It was a good move.”

Indeed Folan muscled his way around the area to the irritation of the Italian centre back staff.

Stephen Hunt is one of those treasured players with such a streak of madness in him that you never know quite what he will do next. His battle with Fabio Grosso was just that.

Kevin Doyle ran himself into the earth, and when Noel Hunt came on – bringing Waterford’s representation to a record three – there was a distinct sense of the possible about every Irish attack.

And, asked a forlorn Italian, how did Trap view his beloved Italy after this draw?

“I know Italy very well. I understand what Lippi is trying to do bringing young players in. Different formations work in Italy. They can adapt easily.

“They played with the same personality I expected from them. We put pressure on them but they were able to run with the ball.”

What changes with this draw?

“I always said to my team that we need to keep up with the top team. It is a combination of personality, balance and luck. Our team knows that and not to be influenced. I was hoping for a draw before coming here to put more pressure on Italy.

“They are still ahead of us but there are many matches to go. Lots of Champions League and Serie A matches will have an effect on what will happen.

“Tonight I saw some of our players tired from Carling Cup and league, so it is still open. Anything can happen.”

He departs looking taller and younger and more sprightly.

It was one of those nights. We looked short on quality and long on defiance. Robbie Keane, who came to this country as a kid and didn’t make it, came back as an old war horse and broke their hearts.

Giovanni Trapattoni, whose story is longer and more complicated, laughed last and laughed longest. In football, anything can happen.