Prandelli’s joy to face Trap

ITALY coach Cesare Prandelli is relishing the prospect of facing his mentor and compatriot Giovanni Trapattoni on the touchline when his team takes on the Republic of Ireland tonight in an international friendly.

The Azzurri go into the encounter in Liege in buoyant mood after taking a step closer towards qualifying for Euro 2012 with a 3-0 triumph over Estonia last week.

Prandelli, who played under Trapattoni at Juventus, is in awe of the former Italy boss and current Ireland manager.