IT MIGHT sound a little like an Italian football manager’s take on the old New York gag that starts: “How do I get to Carnegie Hall?” but Giovanni Trapattoni has sent his players back to their clubs ahead of next month’s World Cup qualifier with the advice that if they want to make it to South Africa next year they should practice, practice, practice.

Pleased with the performance turned in by his second string in Limerick on Tuesday night, the former Juventus boss has told his players to take particular care to avoid picking up injuries ahead of Ireland’s last two group games.

And, in the wake of the team’s first goal scored directly from a free kick in almost three years, he asked those with the potential to repeat the trick next month to put in some time on the training ground and hone their skills.

“I said to the players yesterday and before yesterday when the famous players went home; ‘Think about no injuries and what you do in your life because against Italy it will be very, very difficult.’ I spoke with them. They know the importance of the game. They are conscious that it is the game of the year for us, especially for me.

“Also, after the first week in Portugal when I got to know all of the players, I gave them the players a letter, advising them to improve this and that. I said to work at their clubs because we haven’t time. If I had this team like a club I am sure we could improve more but they must do it themselves and I think they have.

“One year ago players like Paul McShane and Richard Dunne conceded a lot more free kicks and received yellow cards.

“But in these games, we made few fouls and I was happy. Before this game we practiced free kicks and we saw immediately that Lawrence and Gibson were strong. The same with Duff. And I’ve told them, even if their clubs have other shooters they must practice to become stronger. It can be very important for us.”

Speaking before his departure for Turin, where he was scheduled to attend the Italy v Bulgaria game last night, he reiterated his belief that Ireland can beat the world champions at Croke Park next month if they are in a position to field a strong team and suggested the visitors, at a time of transition, will be wary of their hosts.

“I pray for no injuries before the game because we will need our most experienced players,” he said before lamenting his side’s lack of full-backs who can “attack then defend, attack then defend”.

He added he has pretty much given up hope of Steven Reid making the sort of rapid return to fitness that would be required for him to feature against Italy.

“Steven hasn’t played for six months, only 30 minutes in a friendly or the Carling Cup. I have always said that if players haven’t played 90 minutes in one, two, three, four games then I have to look elsewhere because they are injured. . . .

“But if everyone else is available then I think they might be afraid of us,” he continued. “Lippi is also looking for the new players at the moment. After being the world champions, some of their players have become old. They are like a car that has 200,000 kilometres on the clock. They do not go. Yesterday we were like a new car. Italy are looking now, I think, for this new situation. Two or three players are on the way down.”

Including Cannavaro he was asked? “Not only Cannavaro, Pirlo . . . It is a time when an international coach must show why his job is important compared to that of his colleagues at a club.

“At a club, you can change a situation, you can buy to renew and refresh the squad but it’s different with a national team. You only have these players; one from Napoli, from Florence, from Turin. That is the difficulty.

“Italy, though, are still strong and you need full concentration against them because they can score not only when they play well but also in an instant when they not so well or poorly.”

Georgian defender Kakha Kaladze’s two blunders that gifted Italy two goals in Tbilisi were met with some bemusement but Trapattoni brushed aside any suggestion of improper conduct.

“I know how it was for Kaladze,” he said. “One goal was like Kilbane against Bulgaria, with the other the ball was coming and he wanted to put out past the post but he made a super goal.

“One day, as a defender with AC Milan, Florence had a free kick on the right. I had this man behind so I thought I would shoot into the stand, Instead, I scored the best goal of my life. In the top corner. In life everything is possible.”

In a reference to the future development of the Irish team and his own contractual situation, he said that it would be “a pity to leave with the job only 50 per cent complete,” and added that the FAI are aware he is available to discuss a new deal.

In the meantime, he insisted, the search for new players continues with the net possibly being widened to the League of Ireland once the qualification campaign is out of the way.

“If we go to South Africa we need two teams. A good team is when you can change players without changing the qualities or the system of the team. Kilbane on the left is important but Nolan on the way up. I think he can do better. Nolan is good enough but I always look because I hope to discover another better. We have (Stephen) Ward too and the “national” players. I saw Bohemians (against Galway last month) and two good enough (subsequently confirmed to be Conor Powell and Ken Oman).”

Pressed on their chances of a call-up Trapattoni smiled. “Maybe the next friendly game you’ll see.”