IRELAND MANAGER GIOVANNI Trapattoni fancies a Euro 2012 showdown with the old enemy England next summer.
The draw for the championships will be held in Kiev at around 5.30pm this evening. We’ll liveblog the proceedings from 5pm.
England are managed by Trap’s compatriot Fabio Capello of course, and the Ireland boss says he’s already begun preparations for a clash with the Three Lions.
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Capello’s side are in the second pot with Italy, Germany and Ireland’s qualification rivals Russia.
“Also, from a technical standpoint, the Azzurri should always be avoided. I would prefer to measure up against Capello’s England. In fact, I have already got some counter moves ready.
“We have respect for the other countries, bigger countries, but I have always said we must also think we have the possibility to beat them,” he said.
Capello for his part wants to avoid a meeting with his old friend in June.
“I spoke with Giovanni Trapattoni and [his assistant] Marco Tardelli after they got through,” Capello said, see the Guardian. “They were both really happy. I think it’s a real success for Ireland and for this manager. It is a great thing. I hope we are not drawn against them.
“The countries are close and also it would be two Italian managers, so I’d prefer not to be drawn with them. It would be interesting, but I prefer not. We cannot draw Italy as we are in the same pot but this would be the same for me to face another Italian manager.
Bring on the English, says Trap ahead of Euro draw
IRELAND MANAGER GIOVANNI Trapattoni fancies a Euro 2012 showdown with the old enemy England next summer.
The draw for the championships will be held in Kiev at around 5.30pm this evening. We’ll liveblog the proceedings from 5pm.
England are managed by Trap’s compatriot Fabio Capello of course, and the Ireland boss says he’s already begun preparations for a clash with the Three Lions.
Capello’s side are in the second pot with Italy, Germany and Ireland’s qualification rivals Russia.
“Psychologically, I would like to avoid Italy,” Trap admitted to reporters last night in Ukraine (see the Telegraph).
“Also, from a technical standpoint, the Azzurri should always be avoided. I would prefer to measure up against Capello’s England. In fact, I have already got some counter moves ready.
“We have respect for the other countries, bigger countries, but I have always said we must also think we have the possibility to beat them,” he said.
Capello for his part wants to avoid a meeting with his old friend in June.
“I spoke with Giovanni Trapattoni and [his assistant] Marco Tardelli after they got through,” Capello said, see the Guardian. “They were both really happy. I think it’s a real success for Ireland and for this manager. It is a great thing. I hope we are not drawn against them.
“The countries are close and also it would be two Italian managers, so I’d prefer not to be drawn with them. It would be interesting, but I prefer not. We cannot draw Italy as we are in the same pot but this would be the same for me to face another Italian manager.
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