Giovanni Trapattoni has asserted that the Republic of Ireland are prepared and ‘won’t be humiliated’ by Spain in tonight’s friendly.
The Irish face La Roja in New York late on Tuesday night in what is a first meeting between the two nations since last summer’s European Championship Group C meeting that ended 4-0 to the Spanish.
“There is confidence in our system and balance,” Trapattoni reflected in his pre-match Press conference.
“I do not know if we can win, but we won’t be humiliated.
“In the last three games, the players have shown us they are well. We are conscious of our quality.
“We got a good result against England and while England are not like Spain, because Spain is more creative and technical, I think we can do well.”
The Italian veteran commented on the opportunity for his players in facing world and double European champions Spain, encouraging Wigan Athletic’s James McCarthy in particular.
“Yesterday I said ‘James, in this game you have this great opportunity to play against the famous and most important players’, because I became famous when I was like James.
“I played against Pele, Cruyff, Eusebio – they were the best players in the world. I grew because I took confidence because I could play against them.
“I told McCarthy he must believe. He has vision, he has good shooting, but he can be more enterprising.”
