We can do it the Chelsea way, insists O’Shea

Those comparisons with Greece, which mushroomed in both number and volume prior to Ireland’s opener against Croatia, are no longer being made but the example of Chelsea remains a valid one for a team clinging to the precipice of these European Championships.

Like Inter Milan 12 months earlier, the English side succeeded this year in frustrating a clearly superior Barcelona selection which will once again provide the rump of a Spanish team looking to claim a unique hat-trick of major championship titles in the coming weeks.

“The two legs made it a slightly different thing but I think that shape is going to be a crucial factor,” said John O’Shea yesterday. “The way Barcelona can move the ball so quickly, [you can’t just watch] the ball because if you do that the players will just run off you, in behind you with the number of one-twos they play.