Ireland set to face Azzurri at scene of World Cup win

Giovanni Trapattoni is set to take his Republic of Ireland side to the United States for two end-of-season friendlies.

Speculation has been rife for several weeks that Ireland will head for the US in the wake of their Euro 2012 qualifier against Macedonia in Skopje on June 4.

No details have yet been confirmed, but it is understood that Trapattoni’s side are likely to face Italy at Meadowlands on June 11, the new venue on the site of the former New York Giants Stadium where Ireland famously defeated the Azzurri at the 1994 World Cup.

A second game is also expected to take place earlier in the same week, possibly against European or South American opposition, with the manager keen to spend time working with some of the fringe players in his squad.

Ireland met Italy twice during the last World Cup qualifying campaign, drawing 1-1 in Bari and 2-2 in Dublin as the then reigning champions pipped them to top spot in Group 8.