Tardelli: Don't switch off against Andorra

Marco Tardelli has warned the Republic of Ireland not to underestimate Andorra as they attempt to snatch automatic qualification for Euro 2012.

The Republic head into their final two Group B games, against the Andorrans on Friday night in the Pyrenees and next Tuesday’s home clash with Armenia, knowing two victories would edge them ahead of current leaders Russia should they slip to defeat in Slovakia.

Having disposed of Andorra relatively comfortably in September last year, when a 3-1 win at the Aviva Stadium cemented a perfect start to the campaign, Ireland will fly out from Dublin tomorrow overwhelming favourites to return with another three points.

However, assistant manager Tardelli’s huge experience as player and coach means he will be taking nothing for granted at the humble Estadi Comunal.

He said: “Psychologically, it is very important. When players think the match is very easy, that’s when the difficulties start.

“Andorra are a good team, a strong team physically, and also the pitch is not very good. It is bumpy and it could be a problem.

“But we are a good team.”

Andorra are yet to take a point from their eight games to date and have scored just one goal, Cristian Martinez’s strike in Dublin.

The group could hardly be any more finely poised, with the top four teams all having a mathematical chance of emerging from it.

Russia enjoy a two-point advantage over second-placed Ireland, while Slovakia and Armenia are only a further point back.

However, the Russians lost 1-0 to Slovakia in Moscow the night the Republic were disposing of Andorra, and a repeat in Zilina on Friday evening would blow the race wide open once again.

That said, a draw or a win for the Russians would sent them into their final game against Andorra at home knowing a seemingly regulation victory would leave them in an unassailable position whatever happens elsewhere.

At the very worst, two wins would secure a play-off berth for Giovanni Trapattoni’s men, although they could be forgiven for wanting to avoid that lottery after their controversial World Cup exit at the hands – literally, in the case of Thierry Henry – of France two years ago.

Asked if he believes Slovakia could do the Republic a favour by beating Russia, Tardelli replied: “It’s possible – they beat them in Russia, so it’s possible.”

What Ireland cannot afford to do is slip up in Andorra and loosen their grip on second spot at worst, although Tardelli insists both games will be approached with the same attention to detail.

He said: “I don’t know if Armenia will be tougher than Andorra. It’s very important to win against Andorra, but the two matches are very tough.”

Ireland will be without inspirational defender Richard Dunne, whose heroics in Russia last month were in large part responsible for their 0-0 draw.

Dunne picked up his fourth yellow card of the campaign at the Luzhniki Stadium and will sit out through suspension, although Trapattoni will hope his style of backs-to-the-wall stubbornness is not required this time around.

Sean St Ledger, who sat out in Moscow having earned his own one-match ban, is available and could be paired with either John O’Shea or Darren O’Dea in the middle.

O’Shea, Trapattoni’s first-choice right-back, was able to train fully this morning after shaking off a knock, although St Ledger ended the session early after a blow to the head.

Tardelli said: “John O’Shea trained with no problems. St Ledger took a little bit of a knock to the head, but the other players are all well.”

O’Dea and St Ledger lined up in the middle in a game at the end of training, but Tardelli was adamant no decision had yet been taken.

He said: “No, nothing today is an indication. We also have John O’Shea who can play in the middle and we have two days to decide.”

Meanwhile, the Ireland camp were today waiting to speak to the Stoke doctors about striker Jonathan Walters’ ankle injury, which has prevented him from joining up as yet.