Happy Trap

Giovanni Trapattoni has admitted that he thought we would win the game after Italy saw a man sent off in the first few minutes last night. Then Italy scored and he feared we would not score a goal against the Italian defence. The Italian was pleased with the result under the circumstances.

He told www.eleven-a-side.com

"After five or seven minutes we were ten against 11 and I thought at that moment we were favourites. But the first goal complicated our life on the pitch because everyone knows that the Italian defenders are the best in the world. It was very difficult to create opportunities but I believe until the last."

"For me it was a very, very great game. I am Italian but I said also I was coming to Italy with the Ireland team, and it was important for me to show all the people that Ireland is a good team."


He said about his substitutions

"I changed many situations on the pitch until we scored the goal and I think we deserved not to lose. I changed many players but I believe also in the players who are in our squad. I said that to them in the dressing room and I think one or two players were a little bit tired."