GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI SAYS he will not have to motivate his players but rather calm them down, ahead of a friendly with England he feels will tell a lot about the team’s progress.
Ireland take on the English national team for the first time in 18 years tomorrow, after the infamous 1995 friendly was abandoned for crowd trouble.
“When there is a little bit of tension with the players, I don’t need to give them more pressure. The players know what will happen, what is the game. It is important, if you give them pressure, on the pitch.
“I have to give them assurance and trust.
“The match will be for us a good test, psychologically and physically. It will be important match for our players. Our players are familiar with English players because the majority of them regularly play against them in the Premier League, while the others play in the Championship. This will be a good opportunity to grow in personality and to understand that it is always possible to get result even against stronger team. We know England is a strong team. Only against strong teams we can really evaluate our improvement.
“I have always wanted to play against England. Also in the past, since [Fabio] Capello was manager but there was no opportunity. I am happy now to have this opportunity that the English team is led by a good friend of mine, Roy Hodgson.”
