Former Ireland assistant manager Marco Tardelli says his old side do not have the brains to compete at Euro 2016
Italian reckons Martin O'Neill's Boys in Green will not be able to cope with the Azzurri in tomorrow's Group E showdown
FORMER Ireland assistant manager Marco Tardelli says his old side do not have the brains to compete at the highest level.
And ex-boss Giovanni Trapattoni has tipped his native Italy to beat the Boys in Green tomorrow night.
The Italian pair have spoken out about the crunch clash between the sides in Group E — and they do not have much faith in their old players, who must win to reach the knockout stages.
Tardelli, a World Cup winner in 1982, believes a few Ireland players have the individual ability to cause the Azzurri problems — but will lose because they cannot follow simple tactics.
He watched the team’s crushing 3-0 defeat to Belgium and claimed those flaws were there for all to see, as Ireland were twice ripped apart by slick counter-attacks.
Tardelli said: “Their collapse against Belgium? They made too many mistakes, one after the other, but all for the same reason — they have trouble handling the game tactically.
“They don’t get that football is also an intellectual matter and not just about attacking and going forward.
“They conceded two of their three goals on counters. It seems like an enormous paradox, but for them it’s normal to play without stopping to think.
“They have great qualities in terms of character and physical build, a great drive to learn, and not very much attention to tactics. They always want to play, even when they’re training.
“So we had to invent new ways of getting them to practice tactics even as they played.”
Managerial great Trap, 77, bossed Ireland from 2008 to 2013 before being replaced by current chief Martin O’Neill.
Like his former assistant, he reckons that the Azzurri have the technical and tactical edge.
Trap said: “Ireland, I know the players, it is the same players as when I was manager. They are well endowed with character and are also good from a technical standpoint.
“But Italy’s is higher. The Azzurri are more ordered and, with some important tactical balance, I believe they can win thanks to those qualities.”
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However, Tardelli does feel that Ireland have players that can trouble Italy, naming Shane Long, Robbie Keane, James McCarthy, Jeff Hendrick, Robbie Brady and John O’Shea as ones for his country to watch.
On Long, he said: “My pupil. Sometimes he flunks some sitters before the goal because he’s completely exhausted.
“But one of my best memories from that time is his incredible header against England, in a friendly in Wembley, in May 2013. I was so happy!
“Robbie Keane is the captain because of his football qualities as well as the human ones. Very often he gave money for people who work behind the scenes.”
Brady is another player he rates highly, while he revealed he tried to convince Serie A clubs to sign Jeff Hendrick.
Tardelli said: “Brady started out as a No 10, now he can play as a high or low winger, or even more centrally.
“He developed a lot and he can still grow. He is the perfect image of this Ireland. As for Hendrick, we picked him up at Derby County, in the Championship. I was there to see a central defender, but was struck by him.
“He’s what you’d call a player of the past, but the truth is a bit different. He is modern in ways that aren’t immediately perceived, but they emerge when you really need them.
“I offered him to some Italian teams, but maybe he wasn’t expensive enough.”
He named O’Shea as the standout player, comparing him to Juventus and Italy legend Gaetano Scirea — whom Tardelli believes was the greatest defender of all time.
Tardelli added: “John O’Shea, a fantastic lad with a fantastic character. He reminds me a bit of Gaetano Scirea and I need say no more.”
Trap led the Italians to the 2002 World Cup and also to the Euros in 2004.
He did not enjoy success at either tournament but believes Antonio Conte, who is taking over at Chelsea, will do so.
Conte played for him at Juve and Trap said: “I must admit that I was surprised by Italy’s start.
“Antonio Conte deserves particular praise, he’s grown a lot in recent years, and is able to understand when it is necessary to play good football and when to defend. Italy are tactical and tidy and these qualities will enable us to also defeat O’Neill.”
