The gap in Trapattoni's self-defence

Paul Kelly
On the eve of Ireland’s Euro-2012 qualifier against Slovakia in Dublin last September, Giovanni Trapattoni issued a declaration of intent about his team’s approach to that crucial match.
“Our weapons are ready,” he warned, having earlier stressed the importance of playing “with more incision and more determination”.
In case anybody failed to grasp the nature of Trap’s ambitions, his interpreter added ammunition to the stockpile about to be unleashed on Slovakia.

“The guns are out,” Manuela Spinelli elaborated.
It sounded like an attack plan.  But the reality was different.
Slovakia's 4-2-3-1 outnumbered Ireland in central midfield (same old, same old).  They dominated possession during a first half in which Ireland’s only weapon was dogged, sometimes last-ditch defence.  The greater incision demanded by Trapattoni never materialised.
Unlike Russia the year before, however, Slovakia forgot to bring their shooting boots to Dublin.  Had they done so, Ireland’s qualification hopes would have died and the team would now be under new management.
Instead, a 0-0 draw was followed by the miracle of Moscow and Armenia’s 4-0 win in Slovakia the same night that opened the door to Ireland’s eventual qualification.
The passive nature of Ireland’s first-half display against Slovakia came to mind in recent days when Trapattoni expressed surprise about his team’s approach to the matches with Croatia and Spain in Poland.  He bemoaned the players's fear of losing and their lack of leadership in responding to adversity.
In reality, Ireland’s inability to take the game to Slovakia last year was a foretaste of the timidity that made them so vulnerable to the sharper attacking skills of Croatia and Spain, who punished individual and collective errors severely.
So there’s nothing new about Trap’s team finding itself on the back foot.  That happens when a team defends deep, declines to press high up the pitch and attaches little importance to retaining possession.
And if Trap is worried by a lack of on-field leaders, perhaps he should reflect on his consistent omission of midfield players with superior passing skills.
“We must believe” is one of Trap’s favourite mantras.  What happens if the players lose faith in him?

Source: http://feeds.examiner.ie/~r/iesportsblog/~3/lBQXzIlQW9o/post.aspx

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