Final chance for Trap to make a point

Giovanni Trapattoni under pressure, Roy Keane calling for the whole team to be dropped and Ireland, should they lose by three or more goals to Italy tonight, facing the indignity of becoming, officially, the worst performing team ever in the history of the European Championship finals — as dead rubber matches go for the Boys In Green, there’s more than a fair bit at stake at the Municipal Stadium in Poznan this evening.

For Italy, of course, it’s a win or bust affair, which means that, for the third game in succession, the Irish will face a side with every incentive to give it all they’ve got.

So, if Ireland are to finish their grim campaign with a restorative result, they will have to do so knowing that it won’t be with the help of any easing of foot on pedal on the part of the opposition.