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Giovanni Trapattoni insists that Ireland must maintain momentum to qualify for Euro 2012
Italian lends his support to Robbie Keane's move to Celtic
7 Feb 2010 14:20:00
By Nick Price
Giovanni Trapattoni hopes that the Republic of Ireland can maintain the momentum from their unbeaten World Cup qualifying campaign to reach Euro 2012.
Ireland lost out to France in a controversial World Cup play-off, but Trapattoni's side held their own against Les Bleus, and the Italian has insisted that the same mindset and form is required to go one better in the European Championship qualifiers.
"It is important we start the game with the same mentality we left with against France, if we start with the same mentality we have the possibility to qualify," Trapattoni told Sky Sports News.
But to reach the tournament, Ireland will have to overcome World Cup qualifiers Slovakia, as well as FYR Macedonia, Armenia and Andorra in Group B.
"All groups, for me, are in balance," said Trapattoni.
"Russia and Slovakia [are] technical team[s]. For me it is better to meet this country than Turkey for example or Greece, with a tough mentality."
The Italian also lent his support to captain Robbie Keane's decision to move to Celtic on a temporary basis to find first-team football, adding: "I know Robbie [Keane] should play. He's played a few games, psychologically for him it is a better change"
Ireland lost out to France in a controversial World Cup play-off, but Trapattoni's side held their own against Les Bleus, and the Italian has insisted that the same mindset and form is required to go one better in the European Championship qualifiers.
| Bet: | Returns: | Hungary £26.00 | Draw £32.00 | Ireland £25.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Hungary £29.00 | Draw £32.00 | Ireland £25.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Hungary £28.00 | Draw £32.50 | Ireland £25.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Hungary £29.00 | Draw £33.00 | Ireland £24.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Hungary £29.00 | Draw £31.00 | Ireland £23.00 |
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"It is important we start the game with the same mentality we left with against France, if we start with the same mentality we have the possibility to qualify," Trapattoni told Sky Sports News.
But to reach the tournament, Ireland will have to overcome World Cup qualifiers Slovakia, as well as FYR Macedonia, Armenia and Andorra in Group B.
"All groups, for me, are in balance," said Trapattoni.
"Russia and Slovakia [are] technical team[s]. For me it is better to meet this country than Turkey for example or Greece, with a tough mentality."
The Italian also lent his support to captain Robbie Keane's decision to move to Celtic on a temporary basis to find first-team football, adding: "I know Robbie [Keane] should play. He's played a few games, psychologically for him it is a better change"
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