Soccer:The Republic of Ireland's preparations for the European Championships progressed smoothly enough in Montecatini today with everyone in the squad training fully and Giovanni Trapattoni providing further evidence that he will stick with his tried and most trusted players when the competition gets under way.
John O’Shea and Shay Given both took a full part in the session again and Marco Tardelli said afterwards that the pair are now considered to be fit even if O’Shea still has to underline that in Hungary on Monday night.
Both looked comfortable here as they played a full part in the usual end of session game. The pair played for what might, fairly conservatively, be described as the probables; a line-up that included all of what would be considered the squad’s first choice players and one that would, in the wake of Tuesday’s official squad announcement, wear shirts numbered one to 11 if it were to take the field for Ireland’s opening game in Poznan on Sunday week.
The likes of Kevin Doyle, Keith Andrews and Stephen Ward found themselves playing against a slightly cobbled together outfit with Stephen Hunt used at left back and Simon Cox out on the right. Paul McShane was given the opportunity to get some time at centre-half under his belt for the second string with Stephen Kelly featuring on the right side of the defence.
In the wake, meanwhile, of suggestions by Cesare Prandelli that Italy might yet withdraw from the tournament due to the ongoing and widening match-fixing investigation, Tardelli expressed the belief that his countrymen will compete.
“Italy is very important,” he said. “They will be in Poland because there are some players but not all of football in Italy is involved. I am surprised (he said it), but maybe sometimes Prandelli says some things to pressure the players and the people that are around the team.”
The assistant manager also dismissed suggestions that the scandal might benefit Ireland by undermining Italian preparations for their group games. “No, I don't think so,” he said. “When the players are in the pitch they play very strong. They play for Italy.
“I am very sad,” he added, “but I have lived many times this situation. I experienced it in 1980 when many players were disqualified for this. Also 10 years ago and now. We need to clean things up because if we carry on like this, it is very bad for the football and the Italian people. I like to stay out of Italian football in Italy but I want my people to be recognised for the right reasons. They are honest people.”
