SOCCER EURO 2012: REPUBLIC of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni received a welcome boost yesterday when it was confirmed that central defender Richard Dunne had returned to training with his club Aston Villa following a shoulder injury.
Villa manager Alex McLeish is confident Dunne will be available for the final two games of the Premier League campaign, against Tottenham and Norwich City.
A fit again Dunne, out for two months with a broken collarbone,will be a huge boost for Trapattoni as he prepares his squad for Euro 2012 campaign.
“It’s good news regarding Richard,” said the Villa manager yesterday. “He has rejoined the group for training today. If he doesn’t make the game at West Brom this weekend, he should be ready for the Tottenham match.
“With a guy like Dunnie,” he continued, “and with what the modern-day physical trainers and medical people do, the aim is to try and get the player up to speed so he can go straight back into the side.
“There should be plenty of preparation work for Dunnie so he can step straight back in.”
McLeish’s comments are somewhat at odds with those of Republic of Ireland assistant manager Marco Tardelli, though, who seemed to suggest last week the centre half’s readiness for the European Championships remained such a concern for the Irish management team the announcement of the squad for the tournament – scheduled for May 7th – might have to be delayed.
McLeish and the Villa medical staff have, however, been consistent, anticipating almost since the day Dunne broke his collarbone on February 12th, the defender would play two or three first-team games before the end of the league campaign and the 32-year-old appears to be on course to do precisely that.
Italy coach Cesare Prandelli, meanwhile, has dismissed any suggestion that Mario Balotelli’s most recent problems at Manchester City might cost the controversial striker his place at Euro2012.
“I never really thought of doing this without Balotelli, as he is a focal point of the national team,” said Prandelli, who left the 21- year-old out of his squad for February’s friendly against the USA over disciplinary issues at City.
“Have I made peace with Balotelli? Yes, although to be honest, we never argued in the first place,” he insisted. “I was pleased that he took responsibility with his statements after the latest incident at Manchester City. I like those who stand up and accept responsibility for their actions.”
Balotelli played only a minor part in Italy’s qualification campaign, coming on late in two games, but two of Prandelli’s preferred options in attack, Giuseppe Rossi and Antonio Cassano, have since suffered serious injuries, with the former now out of the championship and the latter’s form and fitness still a doubt.
Vicente Del Bosque has insisted Spain must forget about the fact they are the reigning European and world champions if the are to be properly focused on this summer’s event. “We can be proud of what we have done,” he said, “but at the same time it belongs to the past. If we want to keep our feet on the ground then there is no option but to forget what we have won and concentrate on preparing for this time.”
Del Bosque, meanwhile, credits the Spanish underage system with having played a huge part in the senior national team’s success. “The underage sides all have the same style so you can put in whoever you want and they will adapt immediately, playing their natural football.
“That is the luck that we have, the success of our underage sides. It is important for us.”
