Giovanni Trapattoni has warned his Republic of Ireland players not to be taken in by the turmoil surrounding Group C rivals Italy.
Trapattoni: Still wary of Italian threat
The 73-year-old's native country have this week had their preparations disrupted by yet another match-fixing scandal and the earthquake which forced the postponement of their midweek friendly against Luxembourg in Parma.
Things took a further turn for the worse on Friday night when Cesare Prandelli's men were soundly beaten 3-0 by Russia, the winners of Ireland's qualifying group, in Zurich.
However Trapattoni, who will send his team into battle with the Italians in Poznan on June 18 knowing that game could prove crucial to the hopes of both nations, is refusing to read anything into the mounting chaos.
Speaking as he completed the Tuscany-based leg of his preparations in Borgo A Buggiano this lunchtime, he said: "It would be a great mistake if you think Italy is this because we don't know how they have done in their training camp.
"Be sure when we meet Italy, Italy will be another team."
The defeat by the Russians - the Republic lost 3-2 to them at the Aviva Stadium, but returned from Moscow with a hard-fought 0-0 draw - did little to improve the mood in Italy just hours after Prandelli had indicated he would be prepared to withdraw his team from the tournament if it was for the good of football.
But Trapattoni, who had his own difficult spell this week after deciding to drop Wolves defender Kevin Foley from his squad at the very last minute, is convinced that will have little impact on his former player.
He said: "What would happen if we lost 3-0 here with Ireland? It would be the same. If we lost a game 3-0, everybody would criticise us."
By comparison, life for the Irish appears to have settled down very nicely with the Foley saga having run its course and injuries abating in the nick of time.
There was a scare this morning when goalkeeper Shay Given did not train at the Stadio Comunale Alberto Benedetti, although Trapattoni later revealed blisters, rather than the knee problem which proved the major topic of conversation last week, were to blame.
He said: "It was better also to let him have a rest because he has worked too much. It is better that he is fresh, and also mentally fresh."
The manager confirmed Given will play against Hungary in Budapest on Monday, his first game since joining up with the squad, and confirmed the knee injury which prompted his trip to see a London specialist is no longer an issue, thus reducing the possibility that another keeper could receive a belated call-up.
Trapattoni said: "Not now, no, and I hope not during the game.
"It is true that we have a possibility to call another, but it would be better if we finished this friendly game without a problem."
Defender John O'Shea, who like Given only returned to training on Thursday, in his case because of a long-standing ankle problem, was also eased through today's session, while full-back Stephen Ward needed treatment after a collision with Sean St Ledger, but is not a concern.
The Republic squad leaves Montecatini for Budapest on Sunday, when the focus will start to turn ever more towards the opening Euro 2012 fixture against Croatia in Poznan on June 10.
Trapattoni is satisfied that the work carried out in northern Italy has built upon the foundation laid in Malahide a week earlier, with everything geared towards hitting peak form just when they need it most.
He said: "This is like the pole position for the Grand Prix.
"This morning, we finished a very, very - wonderful is too much, but beautiful - week, and we are very happy.
"I have said to the players, 'Thanks, thanks a lot for your attitude, for your engagement and attention to everything we have asked of you'.
"We have had a good time, we have had good weather, we have also had a very good atmosphere in Montecatini.
"I will say also thanks to the city because also in the hotel, we have had a very good rest.
"We have re-charged the batteries, and you can see that in how the players played in this training game."
Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/17650/trap__don_t_write_italians_off
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