Ireland battered, bruised and humiliated

Republic of Ireland 1 Germany 6

Many of the fans who left early last night were calling time on the Italian’s reign as they passed close to the press box and, if the opposition had been any team other than one of the top two in the world, Trapattoni really wouldn’t have a leg to stand on.

Instead, physically bruised and psychologically battered, his make-shift squad will move on to the Faroe Islands for a game on Tuesday which now has the potential to be a deal-breaker in terms of the manager’s position. Any slip-up in Torshavn — and last night relieved Sweden showed what a banana skin a game up there can be — and it will be impossible to make a convincing footballing case for Trap to remain in charge.