Trapattoni revels in glorious homecoming

Giovanni Trapattoni left Bari with his reputation enhanced as Marcello Lippi was left licking his wounds.

The 70-year-old Republic of Ireland boss emerged from his clash with the man who replaced him as Italy coach in 2004 with a moral victory as well as a precious World Cup point as his team staged a late fightback to keep their dreams of qualification on track.

Trapattoni, who is fondly remembered in his home country for his glittering career in club management, principally with Juventus, rather than his time in charge of the national team, was welcomed warmly to the San Nicola Stadium.

By contrast, Lippi was jeered on to the pitch by fans who cannot understand his reluctance to select local hero Antonio Cassano, and booed off after his 10 men emerged from the clash with only a point to show for their efforts.

The Ireland manager, who seemed mildly embarrassed by the spontaneous applause which greeted his arrival at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday evening, was grateful for his reception by a wider audience.

However, he was still able to spare a thought for his opposite number.

Trapattoni said: “I feel affection everywhere I go. I’m not necessarily proud of it.

“But Lippi did not deserve to be booed. He is building a new Italian team and deserves great credit.”

Trapattoni too is building a new team, by his own admission, without the wealth of raw materials available to Lippi.

But the marriage between a man who firmly believes that the whole can and should be more than the sum of its constituent parts, and a nation which sees nothing more appetising in sport than the chance to tweak the nose of one of the big boys, is proving a a heady mix.

Trapattoni knows the limits of his team, but he also knows its strengths, and making the most of them is what will determine just how successful it could be.

He said: “I always said to my players since the start that we need to keep up good spirits.

“It’s a combination of personality, balance and luck.”