Trapattoni delights in display full of ‘heart’

TEN goals and none conceded in four games — you could call it a summer of deep content for Giovanni Trapattoni’s Ireland.

In the press conference room of Standard Liege’s home ground last night, the grand old man of Italian football came in to talk us through the latest and, in some ways, most astonishing of those results.

It might have been “only a friendly” — not that the fiercely competitive Trapattoni would ever use such a phrase — but the 2-0 win over his homeland is the kind of eye-catching result which would reverberate around Europe and only enhance his reputation in both countries.

Speaking in Italian, he said: “We won because of our attitude, mentality and the way we play. Italy had good possession, and that’s all good. But how a team reacts without the ball is important too. The rest is poetry. As I’ve always said to you, if I want to see a show I’ll go to theatre. In football, I’ve always got results the hard way, first as a player and now a manager.”

The manager had a special word for Stephen Hunt and Darren O’Dea who once again vaulted the pain barrier to play in the last game of a long season.

“I feel great satisfaction about that,” he said. “The doctor had first thought about sending them home but they both understood the need to be here. They showed they have heart, like a lot of Irish players have. I hope those who could have been here but weren’t will follow their example.”

How did he feel about putting one over on his native land?

“People who know me, know I always want to win, even if I’m playing darts. I think we have been unlucky in previous games against Italy, but I don’t have any feelings of revenge against my own country.

“I’m not arrogant and I’m always happy to see the welcome I get from the Italian fans. I know Italians don’t like losing in general but everyone looks after their own house, and I’m looking after my house now.

“I congratulated Cesare (Prandelli) at the end of the match. Italy played against a strong team, a team that was prepared to go onto the pitch and suffer. Yes, we were a bit lucky but football is not always about merit. The players played despite tiredness and injury and I made sure to thank them. They can enjoy their holidays now.”

Azzurri boss Prandelli was gracious in defeat in the presence of a man he reveres. But he was angry too about his own team’s performance.

“If we have to lose, it’s better to lose a friendly not a qualifier and it’s better to Trapattoni,” he began but, soon, his annoyance showed itself. “We didn’t play like we can. We have to reflect on this result because we didn’t play like a team. Each player was playing as if on his own — and when we do that, we’re in trouble. Ireland defended very well and were hard to break down but that is not the reason we lost. We have to look at ourselves. The game was a step backwards for us. Everyone made mistakes — including myself. I probably made too many changes.”