Giovanni Trapattoni has informed his Republic of Ireland players there is no such thing as a friendly game as they prepare to face Paraguay (9/5 to beat Ireland) at Dublin’s Showground.
The Irish can count themselves as very unfortunate not to be joining Tuesday’s South American opponents in the World Cup finals this summer, following Thierry Henry’s handball during their play-off game with France (16/1 to win the World Cup).
Ireland were on course for their first visit to a major tournament since the 2002 World Cup until Henry’s handball set up William Gallas to send the 1998 world champions to South Africa instead.
They should be preparing for the finals but Ireland will now provide the opposition for two sides who will be heading to Africa, as they face Paraguay on Tuesday followed by Algeria later on in the week.
Trapattoni has said that he hopes his players will be able to put the hurt of the play-offs behind them as they build for the Euro 2012 qualifiers.
The 71-year-old Italian was full of praise for his current crop of players ahead of this week’s friendly matches and the start of the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign, which begins in September.
“We could see immediately we are not on holiday. They came here not on holiday,” said Trapattoni.
“I have said for the last two years, when you wear this shirt, there is no such thing as a friendly game because it’s our pride and the mentality of our country that is important. We have to build our mentality. I am not arrogant, but we are sure we have a strong team.
“Today I spoke with Marco [Tardelli, assistant manager] and we were saying this group [of players] is a great group – they showed us that against Brazil, against Italy and against France. They played better than or at the same level as those teams.”
Ireland (6/4 to qualify for Euro 2012) will fancy their chances of securing a top-two finish in their Euro 2012 group, having been drawn with Russia, Slovakia, Macedonia, Armenia and Andorra.
Despite avoiding many of the big nations in the draw, Trapattoni believes qualification will be a big ask and has said his players need to carry some momentum into their qualifiers.
“I know the group will be difficult and we will been all our players to be fit, but I have seen many games and I think we can qualify because this group is strong,” he added.
Despite the likes of Shay Given, Richard Dunne, Aiden McGeady and Kevin Kilbane being unavailable for the visit of Paraguay, Trapattoni is set to start the game with an experienced eleven.
Skipper Robbie Keane, Damien Duff, John O’Shea, Kevin Doyle, Glen Whelan and Sean St Ledger will all start while Coventry keeper Kieran Westwood will win his fourth cap as he comes in for the injured Given.
Ireland’s preparations for the game have been overshadowed by the injury Everton youngster Shane Duffy suffered during a practice game, the 18-year-old needing life saving surgery after a horrible collision.
While Duffy remains in an intensive care unit in a Dublin hospital he has been told he will play football again, despite losing two-thirds of his blood in the accident.
ToteSport bookmaker will give you £60 in Free Bets. Click here to check them out.