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Gdansk: Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has hinted of ringing in changes to his side as he attempts to revive their Euro 2012 campaign after a morale-sapping 1-3 defeat to Croatia in their Group C opening match on Sunday.
Trapattoni faces the daunting task of having to take something from reigning World and European champions Spain in Gdansk on Thursday if his side are to prolong their interest in the tournament.
Trapattoni, who started with his strongest available team in Poznan, could now opt to shuffle his pack and has urged his players not to be too disheartened if they miss out.
He said: “It’s early now. I know you want to know what happens, but we have to think about how the players are with fitness. “Spain is another game and then we have to think very, very much.
“If I decide to change, it will not be because a player played badly or does not deserve to play. We have another game. Our opponent only drew and has only one point.
“It’s important we recover psychologically and believe again because we have to remember how many games we had played without conceding a goal. In the first half, they deserved to win because they were superior in midfield. We played better in the second half.”
Croatia boss Slaven Bilic was delighted, but not surprised, by his side’s powerful display, which sends them into their clash with Italy brimming with confidence.
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