Trapattoni up for the cup

GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI says Ireland’s World Cup play-off against France will be like a cup final and will require more from his team than they have managed to produce in the qualification campaign.

But the manager is convinced Ireland’s performances over the past year – especially in the two games against Italy – give grounds for believing the team the Azzurri beat in the 2006 World Cup final can be overcome next month.

“At this point, it is not about world rankings, it is more like a cup final over two legs,” said Trapattoni, who watched yesterday’s draw on television at home in Milan.