The Republic of Ireland will take on France in the World Cup play-offs which commence next weekend in what will be an intriguing clash between the shrewd Italian coach Giovanni Trapattoni and the much-maligned French national team coach Raymond Domenech. 
Trapattoni’s record speaks for itself with successful spells almost everywhere he coached yet his most notable job prior to taking over Ireland ended in miserable failure with the Azzurri. Trapattoni was unconvincing and seemed stuck in the past using tactics which did not suit the abilities of the Italian players at his disposal. However, since taking over Ireland’s coaching duties, he was able to create a solid unit as evidenced by the undefeated run in the group stage not to mention conceding just eight goals in the 10 matches played. Trapattoni’s most notable results came against his home country with Ireland snatching a 1-1 draw in Italy and wasting two points at home after a late Alberto Gilardino equaliser gave the Azzurri a share of the spoils in a feisty 2-2 encounter. He will be counting on ‘keeper Shay Given to try and keep a clean sheet in the first match in Ireland before traveling to France for the return clash.
While the schedule does not serve the Irish well, the absence of the likes of Franck Ribery (pictured above), Samir Nasri and Patrick Vieira as well as David Trezeguet will work in Trapattoni’s favour. Both Ribery and Nasri are out due to injury (Arsenal’s Nasri just returned but is not fully fit) while Vieira has been overlooked due to his limited appearances for club Internazionale. As for Trezeguet, the Juventus striker does not seem likely to feature again for Les Bleus as long as the bizarre Domenech is in charge of the national team. It is quite unfortunate considering the striker’s scoring record with both France and Juventus. Despite criticism of his shortcomings outside the box, Trezeguet has often delivered for the French, most notably when he scored the famous winner against the Italians in the Euro 2000 Final. Domenech and Trezeguet rarely saw eye to eye and the striker’s penalty miss during the World Cup in Germany against none other than the Azzurri may have set Domenech in his stubborn ways to overlook the goal poacher.
It will be crucial for the Irish to keep a clean sheet in the first match and travel to France without having conceded any goals. With the likes of Thierry Henry, Karim Benzema and Nicolas Anelka spearheading the attack, France will most likely be able to find the net when it hosts the Irish in the return leg on November 18. France won the World Cup in 1998, followed that up with a dramatic overtime win in Euro 2000 before stuttering in World Cup 2002, and then finished Runners-up to Italy in the culminating match of Zinedine Zidane’s illustrious career. It was a controversial loss for the French as the legendary Zidane was sent-off to undermine his country’s chances of winning after he had lifted the nation on his shoulders to Berlin.
Will an Italian stand in France’s way once again as Trapattoni’s charges take on France? The difference this time is that missing on South Africa 2010 will bring to an end a successful chapter in the history of Les Bleus. It may bring back unfortunate memories of the failure witnessed by the talented 1990s team which did not make it to USA 1994. That squad inlcuded the likes of David Ginola, Eric Cantona and Jean-Pierre Papin among others. Ireland will rely heavily on Shay Given, an organised defense and a hustling midfield as well as the striking instincts of Robbie Keane while the French will try to compensate for the absentees with Henry and Anelka (or Benzema) likely leading the line. At this point it will be unrealistic to predict the outcome knowing that Ribery will be dearly missed by the French as he plays a significant role in the team’s buildup and attacks.
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