Finland's Rasmus Schüller a doubt for revenge mission against Ireland

Finland manager Markku Kanerva sees Greece's recent 2-0 victory over Ireland as the blueprint for his side at the Aviva.

Tue, 12 Nov, 2024 - 15:15

John Fallon

Finland could be without midfielder Rasmus Schüller as they look to exact revenge on Ireland in Thursday’s penultimate Uefa Nations League fixture.

Markku Kanerva is under the most pressure of his eight-year tenure as his side sit bottom of the four-team table.

Barring a win at Lansdowne Road, they look destined for relegation to League C.

The manager is also facing added scrutiny for allowing three players who started last month’s 2-1 to Ireland – Topi Keskinen, Leo Walta and Tomas Galvez – to play for the U21s in their Euro playoff against Norway.

Veteran Djurgården midfielder Schüller, who also started in Helsinki, is suffering from illness and uncertain to travel with their squad on their Thursday flight.

Kanerva’s gameplan is being hatched based upon where he saw Ireland exposed in their 2-0 defeat to Greece in Athens, four days after their trip to Helsinki.

“Greece managed to advance well through the wings and were able to play balls in front of the defensive line too,” noted the former school teacher.

“That match gave us good tips. We must make Ireland’s shape move and find spaces inside.

“If those spaces are not found, then we’ll use the wing lanes to our advantage.”

Finland will end their campaign with a home match against Greece, the surprise tabletoppers with a maximum 12 points accrued.

Kaan Kairinen from Sparta Prague has returned to the squad after missing last month’s window through injury.

Also available to Kanerva is defender Daniel O’Shaughnessy. The tall defender spurned an approach from the FAI to represent Ireland through his Galway-born father Robert.

He was the sole home-based player in Finland’s squad at Euro 2021, starting all three games, and currently plays for HJK.