Soccer:Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni was given food for thought as he watched his Republic of Ireland side lose to Argentina from his hospital bed in Dublin last night.
Recovering from minor abdominal surgery earlier in the day, the 71-year-old Italian will have been encouraged by the performances of several of his young players in the 1-0 defeat to Argentina in the first international game at the new Aviva Stadium.
Paul Green is fast playing himself into the central midfield role, while Cillian Sheridan would appear to offer Trapattoni another option in attack.
The arrival of substitutes Andy Keogh, Keith Treacy for his debut and Greg Cunningham in the second half certainly enlivened Ireland following a bleak, virtually chanceless opening 45 minutes.
Although assistant manager Marco Tardelli stated he and Trapattoni had been disappointed with the first half, the second provided them with optimism.
Tardelli remarked: "We've a squad here capable of facing the qualifiers."
It has been confirmed Trapattoni will be back in charge for the opening European Championship qualifying games in Armenia on September 3rd and with Andorra at the Aviva Stadium four days later.
Trapattoni will likely feel with the emerging crop of young players he can approach the programme with confidence, and not have to rely too heavily on his more senior names.
"I am very disappointed with the result, but I am very happy for the young players," said Tardelli in standing in for Trapattoni.
"I think Cunningham, Treacy, Keogh, and Sheridan in the first half, they played very well. We've found many new players."
Tardelli, who spoke with Trapattoni immediately after the match, added: "He told me to tell the players well done.
"He said it was a good match in the second half because they played football, but not in the first when he felt we were afraid.
"After the ceremony for our captain (before kick-off to commemorate Robbie Keane's 100th cap), some players lost concentration.
"But in the second half we caused problems for Argentina. We had two or three chances that were not easy, but clear."
Argentina took theirs when it arrived in the 20th minute, although Angel Di Maria was offside when Gonzalo Higuain touched on a long goal-kick from Sergio Romero.
According to Tardelli, no matter the fact it was offside, it was a poor goal to give away.
"When I spoke with Giovanni after the match he was wondering if the rules had changed because he didn't understand," said Tardelli.
"But whether it was offside or not, we must pay attention because you cannot concede a goal following a goal-kick."
Ireland team doctor Alan Byrne confirmed Trapattoni's operation was a success, but that he will remain in Dublin's Mater hospital over the weekend to recover.
Explaining what had happened, in particular as Trapattoni had been admitted to hospital with suspected food poisoning, Byrne said: "He had developed adhesions from scar tissue from previous surgery.
"Giovanni felt that maybe shellfish was the issue, and it may have triggered things.
"But in essence, after all the investigations, it became evident there was a problem with these adhesions.
"To some extent they slimmed down the workings of the small bowel, it was not functioning normally.
"Once that happens there is a backlog and that's where the vomiting came from.
"It was a matter of going in and releasing one adhesion."
Asked if Trapattoni will be available for next month's qualifiers, Byrne's response was a firm "absolutely".
He added: "The problem is fully resolved. His general health will help him make a quick recovery, no question about that."