Trapattoni: maybe our next opponent is not a team as good as Armenia

October 12, 2011 - 11:21 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Giovanni Trapattoni wasn’t exactly jumping for joy when he entered the post-match press conference room last night, doubtless conscious that his interrogators would once more be drawing unflattering distinctions between the show and the result, The Irish Examiner reports.

But for the Ireland manager, the quiet satisfaction had been in watching his team, however haltingly, come out on top against a side for which he has developed considerable admiration.

"I think Armenia is one of the best teams in the group and for us it’s a very great result," he said. "In the first half Armenia played very well and it was very difficult to control them. But as I said yesterday, in this game we could see our maturity and how the team has improved. They showed a good reaction and a good attitude.”

Trapattoni was not prepared to accept that Ireland had once more reaped the benefits of a lucky break or three.

"I repeat, Armenia played well but I don’t remember a very difficult situation for Shay Given. I don’t remember him making too many saves. Yes, we were lucky in Russia, I have admitted that, but even though Armenia played better football than us, I don’t remember us being in trouble.

"But I repeat, even with 10 men Armenia played well. I knew they would. They played well against Macedonia, Russia and Slovakia. I saw these games."

Asked if Ireland would need to play better in the play-offs, Trapattoni replied: "Yes, but all opponents are not the same. Maybe our next opponent is not a team as good as Armenia."