NO RISKS

Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has said that he will not be risking the players who will be travelling to the Euro 2012 in the friendly matches. Republic of Ireland will be playing in two friendlies prior to the start of the Euro 2012. They are in the group containing both Spain and Italy, but Giovanni Trapattoni has been speaking extremely confident about his team’s ability to get a result against the former world champions. It is not surprising given that Republic of Ireland recently have beaten Italy in friendly matches. Republic of Ireland will be facing Bosnia and Herzegovina and Hungary in the two friendly matches.

Giovanni Trapattoni has already had to deal with a number of injury problems to some of his high profile players. Aston Villa goalkeeper Shay Given has been the latest injury trouble for the Italian. It is expected that the former Newcastle United goalkeeper will be visiting a knee specialist in the next few days in order to overcome his knee problem. Robbie Keane is struggling with a hamstring injury, but is expected to make it into the tournament. As a result, Trapattoni will be experimenting only with formations ahead of the tournament.

“They want to play but it is not worth the risk. Why run the risk? I am an idiot, he is an idiot if he is injured. We will decide if it is better for them not to play because it’s too near to the finals. I am only worried when we have serious injuries and at the moment we only have two or three small injuries. The doctor says they can be ready in two or three days and I am not particularly worried,” Trapattoni said in the interview given ahead of the Bosnia match, which is expected to be a formality.

TRAPATTONI FACES TOUGH DECISIONS

Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has said that he is facing a lot of tough decisions when it comes to choosing his squad for the Euro 2012. There are only a few weeks left before the start of the competition in June. Ireland are in the group containing heavyweights like Spain and Italy. Even though not many have given them a chance to progress into the next round, Giovanni Trapattoni believes that he will be able to get the best out of his players in order to qualify for the next round. One of the biggest indicators of his team for the Euro 2012 came in the form of a comment that appeared to suggest that the 73-year-old Italian will favour the players who were part of the qualifying rounds.

Ireland will first be heading out to Italy to take part in the pretournament camp. Trapattoni will be taking a 23 man squad for the pretournament camp. The Italian said that it is especially tough on the players who will miss out on the squad, but he has no other choice than to take the best 23. Trapattoni said that there were around 28 brilliant players for Ireland, but only 23 will be making that final squad. Sunderland winger James McLean is expected to be a shock inclusion in the squad after his impressive performances for his club.

“We have 27 or 28 players and it will be a great pity, a great pity, when we have to decide on the 23, to decide on this player or that player. We have time until a few days before the tournament starts and we can change if there is injury, and then maybe we could do with these extra players. I have two or three decisions to make,” said Trapattoni ahead of the conclusion of the club season.