Irish assistant boss Marco Tardelli is under no illusion as to the importance of Friday’s play-off clash with Estonia for the Irish players, saying that it is the “match of their lives”.
His reasons to stress the importance of the games may come as a surprise, however.
Is it important to ensure Ireland’s first major qualification for a major tournament in ten years? To restore pride amongst an Irish football public who have been apathetic to the Boys in Green in recent years? To lift the spirits of a nation devastated by the economic downturn?
All of the above reasons matter of course, but the primary reason the play-off games are so damn important, Tardelli says, is because it gives plenty of the Irish squad an opportunity to put themselves in the shop window on an international stage.
“It’s the match of their life for many players,” he said.
“It’s important to qualify because the players need a boost as well in terms of new contracts and visibility.
“The European Championships give the players good visibility and for some players, maybe it is the last chance to be seen around the world. It’s important, and it is important also for the Irish people.
“If a player plays in the Championship and maybe he plays well at the European Championships, it’s possible to sign a new contract or play in the Premier League or in another country.
“This is important. I don’t know for other players, but for me, it was very important because I am very close to my country, and I think these players are very close to their country.
“I felt very emotional when I stood on the pitch during the national anthem. I don’t know for other players, but I think it’s the same thing.”
For all his talk about the opportunities for certain players should we qualify, Tardelli knows that he and Giovanni Trapattoni are virtually certain to get a new contract if Ireland overcome Estonia and that the prospect of him succeeding Trap will improve dramatically as a result.
As far as the games themselves are concerned, despite Estonia’s lowly status on the world stage and the delight that all Irish supporters felt when we pulled them out of the hat in the draw, Tardelli says that we are in no way favourites to come out on top.
That’s the impression he gave when he was asked about Ireland’s supposed superiority earlier today, although he was perhaps mindful of the fact that the current Irish side ain’t that comfortable with the favourites tag.
“I don’t think so. When we knew the draw, we were very happy because we drew Estonia, but Estonia thought the same thing. After the draw, Estonia were very happy because they drew Ireland,” he said.
“We are not favourites. We have a 50% chance like Estonia. We are not favourites – if we think we are favourites, that is very dangerous.”
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