Italy vs Ireland Preview

Tomorrow sees the clash of the top two in Group 8 qualifying from next year’s World Cup as Italy host Ireland in Bari (K.O. 8.50 pm Local time).

After Italy’s win away to Montenegro last Saturday courtesy of two goals from Pirlo & Pazzini, they stand two points clear of the pack. Ireland will be disappointed to have dropped 2 points at home to Bulgaria, a Kevin Kilbane own goal equalising for the visitors after Richard Dunne put the Boys in Green ahead after just 36 seconds.

Irish hopes have been hit with the news that right winger Aiden McGeady has been declared unfit after a light training session this evening. Italy are without midfielder Di Natale and striker Iaquinta but Marcelo Lippi can still call on many of his World Champion squad.

With Bulgaria facing Cyprus in Sofia, Ireland are well aware that any points garnered tomorrow will be vital in the push for South Africa. Their assistant manager Liam Brady beleives that the choice of the southern city of Bari as the venue shows that the Italians are wary of the threat posed by Ireland, and their thousands of travelling fans.

It is also a poignant match for the Irish manager Giovanni Trapattoni who faces his own country for the first time as manager. He says there will be a lump in his throat when he hears his national anthem but he says ” I get equally emotional when I hear the Irish anthem”.

A cautious game is to be expected from both teams, with both managers probably happy to go home with a point each. However the Irish fans may be dreaming of a repeat of the team’s last meeting, in World Cup ’94 in Giants Stadium, New York when Ray Houghton scored the only goal to give the Irish their only win over the Italians to date.