Tardelli hits out at French boss Domenech over 'lies'
Ireland's assistant manager Marco Tardelli (left) pictured alongside Giovanni Trapattoni
Sunday November 08 2009
Ireland's assistant manager Marco Tardelli has accused Raymond Domenech of "staying away from the truth" as the build up to the play-off against France next Saturday intensifies.
Tardelli fell out with the French manager two years ago after comments Domenech made about a game in 1999 when the pair were coaching the U21 sides of Italy and France.
Italy won the game, a qualifier for the Olympics, 2-1 but before France played Italy in 2007, Domenech commented: "I have experienced a France-Italy game in the U21s, a qualifier for the Sydney Olympics, with a bought referee. Rarely have I been so ripped off."
He was subsequently found guilty of bringing the game into disrepute and fined €6,000.
"Domenech is a very different coach, sometimes he stays away from the truth or what is true or the normal truth," Tardelli said last week. "Sometimes when he talks about teams in the newspapers it is not very true. The match was very hard because the day before he spoke in one newspaper saying that the last European Cup when Italy win, we won because the referee was very friendly to us, but always when I meet Domenech with the Italian national team we won."
Tardelli has never been reluctant to hide his contempt for Domenech, referring to him as Italy's "secret weapon" before France played his home country at last year's European Championships.
Yet Trapattoni's assistant does not believe that the stories of discord and mutiny among the French players will necessarily aid Ireland.
"It's like Mutiny on the Bounty! I don't think it will help because the French team is very good, very hard. Many of the players play in England and in Europe's top leagues, the big teams like Henry with Barcelona, Anelka at Chelsea and Malouda, many players are very strong and at the big clubs. The French are embarrassed because they finish second and are in the play-offs. I think they want to play a very big match against Ireland."
The French, Tardelli says, have better individuals than Italy but he believes the Italians are a more complete team.
England's coach, Fabio Capello, has said he will be supporting Ireland in the game.
"I'm really good friends with Giovanni and Marco Tardelli -- I support these two. I also know Domenech but I'm a closer friend with Trapattoni and Tardelli. I will be happy if Trapattoni will be with us in South Africa. It will not be an easy game. France have improved in the last two games -- they have problems in the middle of their campaign but in the last two games they played well."
Tardelli and Trapattoni will be stressing the little details with Tardelli believing Ireland will want to score in the home leg. A clean sheet will also be essential and the Italians will be stressing the little details.
"Against Italy, one little detail and we draw the match. The French players are very crafty and we need to pay attention in this match, it is very important."
There are some who believe Trapattoni has been lucky so far. Tardelli sees it differently.
"Remember what Napoleon said -- my generals are lucky and clever and good. We need to have him as a lucky general and a good one. I think Giovanni won many things because he is clever and good. He is a coach that speaks with the players and the players pay attention when he speaks."
- Dion Fanning
Sunday Independent
