Ireland wore white against Italy in Poznan on Monday night but they didn’t raise the white flag and put up a creditable performance before eventually going down 2-0.
After conceding goals after only three minutes against both Croatia and Spain we knew after a few minutes on Monday night that Italy were not in the same league as Spain and the Republic were not going to lose 4-0 again.
Ireland passed the ball well and Kevin Doyle looked dangerous when he ran at the Italian defenders. But he and his teammates failed to get any shots on target.
Glen Whelan and Stephen Ward both gave the ball away cheaply and then the Italians went ahead on 35 minutes. Shay Given fumbled a shot from Cassano and Italy went ahead from the resulting corner. Cassano rose high get his head to Pirlo’s corner and head past Given. Damien Duff, who was captaining the team on his 100th appearance, kicked the ball clear, but it was already over the line.
The Irish improved in the second half and with only one goal between teams there was always a chance we could snatch an equaliser. Andrews had the first real Irish shot on target on 59 minutes and the same player brought a great save from Italian ‘keeper Buffon on 78 minutes with an excellent free kick.
Trapattoni was very slow to make changes but eventually Long and Walters were given a chance to impress and they did bring more energy to the team when introduced.
Andrews was Ireland’s best player of the tournament, but unfortunately he got sent off for a second yellow card on 89 minutes. Then on the stroke of full time Italian sub Balotelli easily beat John O’Shea to volley past Given from yet another corner.
Trapattoni has come in from criticism from some Irish fans, but it looks like the 73 year-old Italian is going to stay on for the World Cup qualifiers, which begin in September. Our next game is a friendly away to Serbia on August 15 when Trapp will have to start re-building.
Irish line-up: Given, O’Shea, Dunne, St Ledger, Ward, McGeady, Andrews, Whelan, Duff, Keane, Doyle.
Subs: Long for McGeady 64 mins; Walters for Doyle 75 mins; Cox for Keane 85 mins.
