• Euro 2012

Trapattoni keeps faith in old guard

ESPN staff
June 17, 2012
Republic of Ireland were thumped by Spain earlier this week © Getty Images
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Giovanni Trapattoni has made just one change to the Republic of Ireland side that will face Italy, again resisting calls for James McClean to get a starting berth.

Trapattoni's charges have lost both their games at Euro 2012 so far, conceding three goals against Croatia and four in a brutal demolition by world champions Spain.

Ireland go into their final game with Italy in Poznan playing only for pride but Kevin Doyle for Simon Cox is the only change as the Italian coach reverted to the side that started against Croatia for their dead rubber.

Damien Duff will captain the side on what will be his 100th cap for the national team.

Ireland's performances have attracted criticism in the media with former skipper Roy Keane playing chief protagonist in his role as a television pundit at the tournament.

He questioned why the likes of Shay Given, Robbie Keane and John O'Shea are picked on reputation and said Ireland shouldn't go to any major tournament just for a "sing song".

Trapattoni hit back at Keane's managerial record after the former Manchester United star's outburst and again defended his team on Sunday when announcing his team.

He said: "I already said Keane has been a very great player. I don't know if he'd achieve the same result as coach. I can ask him why for an intelligent man he keeps saying these things."

Switching to Italian, Trapattoni then said as an aside: "He's won f*** all."

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