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Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni admits he 'wanted to avoid' Italy after also landing Spain and Croatia at Euro 2012
The Italian manager says his side can progress if his side show enough belief, while rival boss Slaven Bilic wants Croatia to approach the tournament with optimism
2 Dec 2011 20:40:00
By Wayne Veysey in Kiev
Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has expressed his dismay at drawing his native Italy in the draw for Euro 2012.
Trapattoni’s men also face the current world and European champions Spain, and Slaven Bilic's Croatia in a series of difficult assignments in Group C.
But the Italian insisted that his side can progress from the group stages if they ignore their relatively lowly ranking compared to their opponents.
"I wanted to avoid Italy because they are strong mentally and because we know each other," said Trapattoni. "But we knew we had to face strong opponents. I hope we don't do ourselves harm in that match and that we get to June 18 already calm.
"I must convince my players it will be another game. Italy know us very well and Croatia is a strong team because there are creative players in Croatia. They are very strong."
Trapattoni express his respect for Vincent Del Bosque's Spain and was realistic about Ireland's chances of toppling the current holders.
He continued: "At the World Cup they were the winners. We know our position in the rankings, know we have to play with another mentality and I think all is possible.
"Every game is a new game and the Spain squad is very strong and I don't think about the last game they lost [against England].
"We know before some time it is possible to have the dream but the reality in the situation is that we know our ranking and how many strong teams we have drawn. I think this is a very strong group."
Ireland’s opening match on June 11 is against Croatia, a team that many would consider to be the weakest in the group.
Slaven Bilic had warm words for dugout sage Trapattoni, who will be 73 when the tournament begins next summer.
“Trapattoni is a genius and a top man and I am looking forward to playing against him once more," he said.
Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has expressed his dismay at drawing his native Italy in the draw for Euro 2012.
| 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 £28.50 | Draw £31.00 | Ireland £23.50 |
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Trapattoni’s men also face the current world and European champions Spain, and Slaven Bilic's Croatia in a series of difficult assignments in Group C.
But the Italian insisted that his side can progress from the group stages if they ignore their relatively lowly ranking compared to their opponents.
"I wanted to avoid Italy because they are strong mentally and because we know each other," said Trapattoni. "But we knew we had to face strong opponents. I hope we don't do ourselves harm in that match and that we get to June 18 already calm.
"I must convince my players it will be another game. Italy know us very well and Croatia is a strong team because there are creative players in Croatia. They are very strong."
Trapattoni express his respect for Vincent Del Bosque's Spain and was realistic about Ireland's chances of toppling the current holders.
He continued: "At the World Cup they were the winners. We know our position in the rankings, know we have to play with another mentality and I think all is possible.
"Every game is a new game and the Spain squad is very strong and I don't think about the last game they lost [against England].
"We know before some time it is possible to have the dream but the reality in the situation is that we know our ranking and how many strong teams we have drawn. I think this is a very strong group."
Ireland’s opening match on June 11 is against Croatia, a team that many would consider to be the weakest in the group.
Slaven Bilic had warm words for dugout sage Trapattoni, who will be 73 when the tournament begins next summer.
“Trapattoni is a genius and a top man and I am looking forward to playing against him once more," he said.
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Goal.com Poll
Poll runs from 2 Dec 2011 to 3 Dec 2011
Poll runs from 2 Dec 2011 to 3 Dec 2011
Which Euro 2012 group game are you looking forward to the most?
Netherlands vs Germany
59.63%
Spain vs Italy
13.69%
France vs England
10.44%
Germany vs Portugal
7.42%
Portugal vs Netherlands
5.34%
Another match
3.48%
Make Your Prediction
Hungary - Republic of Ireland
Hungary
Republic of Ireland
Prediction Submitted
Most Popular Predictions
-
Hungary 0-2 Republic of Ireland
- 22.34 %
-
Hungary 0-1 Republic of Ireland
- 18.09 %
-
Hungary 1-2 Republic of Ireland
- 9.57 %
21:50 BST -
And here are some quotes from today's goalscorer, Danny Welbeck: "It's still the same, me and Ashley [Young] playing together.
"We know each other's games and obviously we're training with each other day in and day out.
"So, it was really good to start up top with him."
"We know each other's games and obviously we're training with each other day in and day out.
"So, it was really good to start up top with him."
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