Tardelli issues play-off warning to France

Marco Tardelli has warned France the Republic of Ireland firmly believe they can beat them to snatch a place in next summer’s World Cup finals.

The two sides meet at Croke Park on Saturday evening and then again at the Stade de France in Paris four days later in a play-off which will determine which of them joins the likes of England, Brazil, Italy and Spain in South Africa.

Raymond Domenech’s star-studded team will be hot favourites to erase the disappointment of missing out on automatic qualification and securing their passage via the back door.

However, Giovanni Trapattoni’s number two Tardelli is adamant they should take nothing for granted against the unbeaten Irish.

He said: “The team believes it is possible to win – anything is possible in football. Now we are a good team and we believe we can qualify.”

The French will arrive in Dublin on Friday with coach Domenech under intense pressure and amid suggestions of disunity within the camp.

However, Ireland, despite being less than impressed with some of the comments coming from their opponents, are expecting nothing but the toughest of tests.

Tardelli said: “The French team is very good in midfield, the defence and the strikers, there are no problems.

“They are a very good team and we will need much passion, much character because we need to play a very big match to beat France.

“For us, it’s very important to begin with big pressure because it’s our weapon. It’s very important for us because we can’t give the French players space on the pitch, because they are very strong.

“You know the names – they play with Real Madrid, with Barcelona, with Chelsea. They are very good players.”

The task may be daunting, but Ireland proved during their Group 8 campaign that they are ready to meet any challenge head-on, and did exactly that when confronted with reigning champions Italy.

They drew 1-1 in Bari after the holders had been reduced to 10 men, and were within added time of securing a famous 2-1 victory at Croke Park last month when substitute Alberto Gilardino rescued the visitors.

Trapattoni has admitted that a clean sheet on Saturday could prove crucial to his side’s hopes of completing the job in Paris, although Tardelli insists Ireland will not settle for a 0-0 draw.

He said: “No, we would prefer to win. I would not be happy. Nil-nil might not be a bad result and it is very important not to concede a goal, but I would prefer to win.”

The former Juventus defender, himself a World Cup winner, has already tasted victory over Domenech in his role as Italy’s Under-21 coach, most notably a controversial 2-1 win extra-time play-off win on the way to glory in the 2000 European Championships.

Tardelli said: “I have met him two or three times, and we have won. I hope that continues.”

So too will Trapattoni, who has won over many of his doubters by guiding Ireland to within 180 minutes of the biggest stage of all.

Having managed his national team and claimed league titles in four different countries, as well as a full set of European honours at club level, he has seen and done most things in his career, and will not be fazed by his latest challenge.

Tardelli said: “Giovanni has been involved in many, many big matches and this is nothing new for him.”

But asked if the 70-year-old enjoys these big games even more than the rest, Tardelli replied: “If he wins, yes; if he loses, no.”

Trapattoni continued his preparations in Malahide today without Hibernian midfielder Liam Miller, who has been sent home after a scan on a calf injury, while Reading’s Shane Long did not even meet up because of a similar problem.