Emmet Malonetalks to Ireland's assistant manager about his new role and Italy's current prospects at Euro 2008

TWENTY YEARS after winding down what had been a wonderful playing career with a short spell at Swiss league side, St Gallen, Marco Tardelli looks perfectly at home back in Switzerland, where he is currently working for Italian television and, of course, keeping a close eye on the Republic of Ireland's World Cup 2010 group eight rivals.

The 53-year-old was blunt last week about Italy's shortcomings but was much more upbeat yesterday, though he agreed Roberto Donadoni's side enjoyed their share of good fortune against France the previous night.

We are likely, he suggests, to see how good Italy really are on Sunday night, when they play Spain in Vienna, but he stands by his pre-tournament insistence the Irish have no reason to doubt they can make it to South Africa in two years' time.

Even at their poorest here the Italians, with quality players in every position, have looked a cut above the current Irish side, and the former Juventus star never quite clarifies whether he sees the Republic's forthcoming campaign as boiling down to a battle with Bulgaria for second place.

Ireland's chances of mounting a challenge to the top seeds might, he acknowledges, depend on how Italy do over the remainder of this competition, the team's former midfielder remarking that elimination before the semi-finals and subsequent upheaval within the camp might serve Irish interests well.

When asked who he sees emerging as champions he includes Portugal, Croatia and Holland in his shortlist. Pressed about Spain, he observes: "I'd be very cautious. It's typical that they start well then go to pieces."

However the Italians fare against Ireland, Tardelli is too proud to contemplate surrender ahead of games he and Giovanni Trapattoni are clearly relishing.

"Both of us have experience of managing national sides," he says, "and it will be an emotional experience, but we are professionals and we'll want to win. It will be odd, though," he adds with a laugh, "to be at a game where we will be expected to sing both national anthems."

Tardelli might know his adopted one already, at least in its English form, having spent time since taking on his role as Trapattoni's assistant in Dublin improving his grasp of the language. This has progressed to the extent where he can quite easily make himself understood although he still seems happy, as he did yesterday, to use a translator in working situations.

"I found it great," he says. "I was there learning English during the week and then going to London at weekends to see games. I saw the odd one in Dublin too - I went to St Patrick's Athletic - and getting to know people over there has been wonderful."

With five Serie A winners' medals from his days at Juventus, more than 80 caps and, of course, that goal and the iconic celebration that followed in the 1982 World Cup final, he might easily have settled for the job of media pundit back home but says he had no hesitation about agreeing to work with Trapattoni again when his old boss came calling back in January.

"You get used to travelling as a footballer and while my family are in Italy, my children are grown up now so it's not a problem. We're professionals and this is what we do."

Trapattoni's involvement was a key factor in getting him on board and he is pleased with the way the Irish players have taken to the veteran: "He is like a battery; he gives energy to the players and everyone around him."

A glimpse of the pair's enthusiasm was provided when Ireland equalised late on against Serbia at Croke Park last month. Trapattoni looked overjoyed while his assistant's celebration had more than a hint of '82 about it.

He laughs at the suggestion: "I was happy because we saw that the team was playing well and giving their all and I didn't think it was a fair reflection of the work that had been done in Portugal to lose that game. The other big thing is that the players begin to believe they're capable of doing it, particularly against a very strong team."

And the trademark celebration?

"I would even give them up if it was a question of getting the points in the bag. But that," he grins, "that was just a small one."