2024 European Championship Qualifying Group B: Republic of Ireland v France (Monday, Aviva Stadium, 7.45pm)
REPUBLIC of Ireland boss Stephen Kenny says his players will need to play with “fire and ice” to undo the star-studded French in tonight’s Euro 2024 qualifying opener in Dublin.
Beside the Ireland manager at yesterday’s press conference, midfielder Josh Cullen insisted that “all roads have led to this moment”.
After three tumultuous years and quite a radical rebuild of the Ireland squad, Stephen Kenny’s players are ready to be judged against one of the best teams in the world.
Fresh from their 4-0 hammering of the Netherlands in Paris on Friday night, everywhere the Irish players will look they'll find a world class opponent staring back at them.
Kylian Mbappe and Antonie Griezmann, however, are the undoubted stars of the 2022 World Cup finalists, both of whom were among the goals against the Dutch.
Despite France’s attacking riches, Kenny doesn’t want his players to take a backward step in a qualification campaign that will ultimately define the Dubliner’s reign.
“We should continue to take risks, not waver in any way from that, that's important,” said the Ireland manager.
“That's what the team is built on... I think we'll show, and we'll need to show, fire and ice. We need to show fire, we need to have that level of tenacity and aggression in our play but also have composure in possession and have that level of calm, and it's trying to combine the two."
Kenny effectively ruled out Callum O’Dowda (groin) yesterday, with Robbie Brady being drafted into the squad, while there are doubts over Seamus Coleman’s participation.
Adam Idah, the Norwich City striker, has been passed fit and gives the manager another good option in attack.
All eyes will be on one of the modern greats of the game, Kylian Mbappe, given his brilliant form of late and being elevated to captain of the French team.
“I think we respect the talents that France have,” Kenny said.
“Mbappe is obviously an exceptional player and we have to back ourselves and have conviction in the way we play. Ultimately, we will show the courage that is needed tomorrow night. But it would be naive not to have provisions.”
And Josh Cullen insists Ireland have the game-plan to hurt the French, the first meeting between the sides since Thierry Henry’s infamous hand-ball in 2009 that cost the Irish the chance of going to the World Cup finals in South Africa.
“You respect the opponent who you are playing against,” said Ireland’s defensive midfielder, “but you also analyse them and know where we can hurt them as well. It won’t be a one-way street of just trying to contain them.”
