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Martin O’Neill looking forward to Ireland facing ‘wounded’ Germany Martin O’Neill looks forward to Ireland taking on ‘wounded’ Germany
(35 minutes later)
Martin O’Neill has relished the underdog tag throughout his career as a manager. He manufactured several upsets when in charge of Celtic, including a 2-0 win at Anfield and a 4-3 victory over Juventus, and the Republic of Ireland will be hoping his can produce a similar moment of inspiration when they take on Germany on Tuesday night. Martin O’Neill has relished the underdog tag throughout his career as a manager. He manufactured several upsets when in charge of Celtic, including a 2-0 win at Anfield and a 4-3 victory over Juventus, and the Republic of Ireland will be hoping he can produce a similar moment of inspiration when they take on Germany on Tuesday night.
O’Neill is adamant that Germany will win Group D despite their slip-up in Poland on Saturday, hours after Ireland defeated Gibraltar 7-0. But with the world champions a “wounded animal”, according to his assistant, Roy Keane, there is a sense within the camp that they can capitalise and cause an upset of their own.O’Neill is adamant that Germany will win Group D despite their slip-up in Poland on Saturday, hours after Ireland defeated Gibraltar 7-0. But with the world champions a “wounded animal”, according to his assistant, Roy Keane, there is a sense within the camp that they can capitalise and cause an upset of their own.
“We’re looking forward to the game immensely,” O’Neill said. “They’ll be formidable opponents but I hope our mind-set is exactly the same as Saturday. The approach will be different in the sense that at home to Gibraltar we had to attack from the first minute of the game. Germany won’t allow us the same space – we’ll encounter many different problems. They are world champions and have a habit of winning but we’re very confident.”“We’re looking forward to the game immensely,” O’Neill said. “They’ll be formidable opponents but I hope our mind-set is exactly the same as Saturday. The approach will be different in the sense that at home to Gibraltar we had to attack from the first minute of the game. Germany won’t allow us the same space – we’ll encounter many different problems. They are world champions and have a habit of winning but we’re very confident.”
O’Neill refused to give any hint to whether he will make changes from the Gibraltar win but Wes Hoolahan is set to drop to the bench with Shane Long most likely to play behind Robbie Keane. “We have our own plan,” the manager added. “Of course best-laid plans can disappear after five minutes but to reiterate, we are going in to this positively. If we sit in all day deliberately, they will pick us off. We want to try to attack as well.”O’Neill refused to give any hint to whether he will make changes from the Gibraltar win but Wes Hoolahan is set to drop to the bench with Shane Long most likely to play behind Robbie Keane. “We have our own plan,” the manager added. “Of course best-laid plans can disappear after five minutes but to reiterate, we are going in to this positively. If we sit in all day deliberately, they will pick us off. We want to try to attack as well.”
The Germany manager, Joachim Löw, says that one surprise result is not a cause for concern but claims that his team have gone from “hunter to prey” and he expects Ireland to be sticky opposition. “We have seen both the Irish games and have analysed them, and we can expect some sort of copy of Poland,” he said. “The Irish are good fighters, they have commitment and fantastic fighting spirit, and they know how to defend.” The Germany manager, Joachim Löw, says that one surprise result is not a cause for concern but claims that his team have gone from “hunter to prey” and he expects Ireland to be sticky opposition. “We have seen both the Irish games and have analysed them, and we can expect some sort of copy of Poland,” he said. “The Irish are good fighters, they have commitment and fantastic fighting spirit and they know how to defend.”
A touch stereotypical from Löw but attributes O’Neill was happy to accept the summary. “He has got a fair amount of fight in his own team too. I wouldn’t decry those attributes, I’m pleased he mentioned those. We are deficient in certain things but fighting spirit pervades this team.”A touch stereotypical from Löw but attributes O’Neill was happy to accept the summary. “He has got a fair amount of fight in his own team too. I wouldn’t decry those attributes, I’m pleased he mentioned those. We are deficient in certain things but fighting spirit pervades this team.”
Germany probable Neuer; Rüdiger, Boateng, Hummels, Durm; Draxler, Kroos; Bellarabi, Götze, Schürrle; Müller Germany probable Neuer; Rüdiger, Boateng, Hummels, Durm; Draxler, Kroos; Bellarabi, Götze, Schürrle; Müller.
Republic of Ireland probable Forde; Meyler, O’Shea, Wilson, Ward; McGeady, Whelan, Gibson, McClean; Long; Keane Republic of Ireland probable Forde; Meyler, O’Shea, Wilson, Ward; McGeady, Whelan, Gibson, McClean; Long; Keane.
Referee D Skomina (Svn). Referee D Skomina (Svn)