Defensive Trapattoni could live up to name

ROME: Coach Giovanni Trapattoni may be tempted to live up to his fame for defensive soccer when his Ireland side seek to stop Italy running away with their World Cup qualifying group on his return to his homeland on Wednesday.

Trapattoni's reputation for catenaccio was cemented during his stint as Italy coach, one of the few failures of a glittering career, when early exits from the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004 were blamed on his negative tactics.

He denied there was any truth in the claims before the Group Eight qualifier in Bari.