Preview; Ireland Euro 2012

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Ireland

Fifa Ranking

18

Manager

Giovanni Trapattoni – An Italian manager. Possibly the onlyman who could play Pele out of a game fairly in his time in the 50’ and 60’s.He’s the only manager to have won all UEFA Club competitions. Regarded the bestever manger to have graced Serie A. 

Captain

Robbie Keane – Star man by all standards for Ireland, hasover 140 caps to his name and over 50 goals. Plays behind the striker but canalso partner another striker in a 4-4-2 formation. Has an eye for goal andIreland would be largely relying on him for inspiration and leadership.

Star Players

Robbie Keane, Shay Given

Fact

The last time this team featured at this competition was in1988. 

Likely Formation;

Having managed some of the best sides in this world andhaving won so much they have had to offer, this coach for sure knows what ittakes to be the best. His preferred formation is the 4-4-1-1 but could changeto 4-4-2 with circumstances.

Shay Given should start in goal though once in a while incase of Injury then Sunderland’s Kieran Westwood would assist. Centre backposition then should be taken by Richard Dunne and Leicester City’s SeanSt-Ledger. Right back has Stephen Ward and Stephen Kelly fighting it over whilethe left back should not be a strange one, ex- Manchester United and nowSunderland’s O’shea.

At Central midfield should be Keith Andrews of WestBrompartnering Stokes Glen Whelan. The left wing should see the experienced DamienDuff and the right wing right now managed by Aiden Mc’Geady who’s alreadysending punches all over the place warning McLean he’s not giving up his placeeasily. Meanwhile Stephen Hunt of Wolves, Seamus Coleman and Wigan’s James McCarthy who could also push up for the spot. I feel foe Mc Geady this timeround, even his famous turn might not save him here. 

The front should see the Captain Robbie Keane playing behindthe striker who’s most likely Wolves Kevin Doyle. In a 4-4-2 formation though,they would both partner upfront for the attack. 

Thoughts

Don’t write off this team. They look to me like thetournament’s dark horses. Given, Dunn, Duff and Keane are probably playingtheir last tournament for the country and will want to prove a point. The coachis a hard worker, the style of play is one he is well conversant with andthough he doesn’t have a squad with the best of talents as compared to theother teams in group C, the spirit in the team is amazing.

Away from the game, in the country's crucial Euro 2012 play-off against Estonia, a ticketless fanfound his way to the dugout and even sat beside the Estonia coach since he couldn’tpay the 600 euro’s they were charging for the match. He stayed till the matchended un-noticed and even was able to record the captain’s TV interview on hisphone. I hope nothing like this happens at the Euro’s though; now that's guts.