The former Aston Villa manager has predicted that the Irish team would be a tough nut to crack at the Euro 2012, but remains
apprehensive of their chances in the continental tournament
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Italy-c2926 and the reigning World and European Champions, Spain,
in their group. With the two powerhouses lined up in Group C for the Irish, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/David-c10409 O’ Leary has went on to state that they would give their all and make life extremely difficult for their opponents, but felt that it was only realistic to limit their dreams
to the group stages.
Ireland have been extremely efficient in their performances under the management of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Giovanni-c14985 Trapattoni, and in their qualification for the group
stages, they have had an unbeaten record of 14 matches, and kept 11 clean sheets during the matches. They have built the team around the sound principles of defence, and O’ Leary was clear to pinpoint where that methodology came from, and added:
"They are not a team that will give teams a good hammering. Their big strength is that they have a great old Italian manager who plays a defensive
mode and is able to get the best out of what he has got with his style of play."
Life would be made very difficult for the Irish team when they face off http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Spain-c3011, who have a prolific attacking line-up. Despite losing out David
Villa from their touring party, they still have enough quality in their attack to cause havoc in any defence.
Besides the regular pre-match analysis and opinions, the former Leeds United manager was quick to give credit to the Irish fan base who never
gave up supporting the team. He further stated:
"The one great thing is that the supporters will be there because they have been missing for the big tournaments for the last few
years and so they will make a welcome return. I am delighted for the fans that they will be there because they are very loyal. They always get behind their team whatever the circumstances so that is fantastic.”
Ireland would be facing off Croatia in their first match of the European group stages.
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