Trapatonni - Keogh is on Standby
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Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapatonni was in confident mood ahead of tomorrow’s vital World Cup qualifier with Bulgaria at Croke Park. The Italian gave a few hints about his starting eleven and said that Andy Keogh will play if Aiden McGeady does not recover from his badly bruised right foot. The Celtic winger however did train today and is expected to take his place in the starting eleven. The Italian also said that Paul McShane will earn his 14th international cap at right back in place of the injured Steve Finnan.
Ireland are currently joint top of Group Eight with Italy on ten points after making a steady, albeit unimpressive start, and another good result tomorrow will see the boys in green take a huge step towards qualifying for South Africa. Bulgaria however are yet to pick up a win so far in the campaign and a win for Ireland will see them open up a ten point lead over Stanimir Stoilov side.
Trapatonni says that Ireland are not going to settle for a draw and that the three points are the priority. “These two games are very important for qualifying. We must play with the right mentality. The distance between the two teams in the group at the moment is good but we must look to win. Our objective is to finish as high as possible. We are always looking to win but it is important we don’t lose”. The manager, who is yet to lose a competitive fixture since he took over in May, expects an open game and feels that Bulgaria wont just sit back. “Bulgaria will attack. They have very offensive players that like to go forward.
Irish hopes were dealt a serious blow yesterday with the withdrawal of winger Damien Duff from the squad. The Newcastle United player was ruled out after tearing his left hamstring and will be replaced by Reading’s Stephen Hunt. There also remains a doubt over whether or not Aiden McGeady will be fit to start. Trapatonni however expects last season’s Scottish Player of the Year to shake off his recent injury troubles. “His injury is still painful but I am confident that he will be fit to play. I will not select him unless he is 100% fit. This is a very delicate time for international football because many people are injured and tired. Duff, Finnan and McGeady for us and Berbatov for them”.
As for Bulgaria they have had a turbulent few months recently after Plamen Markov was sacked following a run of three draws from their opening three qualifiers. The final nail in the coffin however was a humiliating 6-1 friendly defeat to Serbia in November. Stanimir Stoilov was appointed as his replacement and Trapatonni believes that his arrival has reinvigorated the team. “They changed their coach and their style of play. Against Switzerland they were much more aggressive and are a very strong pressing team. The Serbia result was a completely different time. The change of coach ahs brought about a reaction from their players.
Trapatonni, who managed VFB Stuttgart, knows a lot of their players from his time managing in Germany and feels that, despite the injury of Berbatov, they still pose a threat going forward. “Georgiev is one of the best free kick- takers around…he is as good as Andrea Pirlo of Italy. We have to concentrate form the first minute right up to the 94th.
Ireland are currently joint top of Group Eight with Italy on ten points after making a steady, albeit unimpressive start, and another good result tomorrow will see the boys in green take a huge step towards qualifying for South Africa. Bulgaria however are yet to pick up a win so far in the campaign and a win for Ireland will see them open up a ten point lead over Stanimir Stoilov side.
Trapatonni says that Ireland are not going to settle for a draw and that the three points are the priority. “These two games are very important for qualifying. We must play with the right mentality. The distance between the two teams in the group at the moment is good but we must look to win. Our objective is to finish as high as possible. We are always looking to win but it is important we don’t lose”. The manager, who is yet to lose a competitive fixture since he took over in May, expects an open game and feels that Bulgaria wont just sit back. “Bulgaria will attack. They have very offensive players that like to go forward.
Irish hopes were dealt a serious blow yesterday with the withdrawal of winger Damien Duff from the squad. The Newcastle United player was ruled out after tearing his left hamstring and will be replaced by Reading’s Stephen Hunt. There also remains a doubt over whether or not Aiden McGeady will be fit to start. Trapatonni however expects last season’s Scottish Player of the Year to shake off his recent injury troubles. “His injury is still painful but I am confident that he will be fit to play. I will not select him unless he is 100% fit. This is a very delicate time for international football because many people are injured and tired. Duff, Finnan and McGeady for us and Berbatov for them”.
As for Bulgaria they have had a turbulent few months recently after Plamen Markov was sacked following a run of three draws from their opening three qualifiers. The final nail in the coffin however was a humiliating 6-1 friendly defeat to Serbia in November. Stanimir Stoilov was appointed as his replacement and Trapatonni believes that his arrival has reinvigorated the team. “They changed their coach and their style of play. Against Switzerland they were much more aggressive and are a very strong pressing team. The Serbia result was a completely different time. The change of coach ahs brought about a reaction from their players.
Trapatonni, who managed VFB Stuttgart, knows a lot of their players from his time managing in Germany and feels that, despite the injury of Berbatov, they still pose a threat going forward. “Georgiev is one of the best free kick- takers around…he is as good as Andrea Pirlo of Italy. We have to concentrate form the first minute right up to the 94th.
