Trap to rethink formation

Giovanni Trapattoni: Might abandon two upfront and switch to a lone-striker formation

Giovanni Trapattoni is ready to change his line-up and formation for the Republic of Ireland's Euro 2012 opener against Croatia on Sunday.

Trapattoni had taken the unusual step of naming his team for the European Championships well in advance.

But the 73-year-old appears to have had a change of heart after seeing his team labour to a 0-0 friendly draw in Hungary in their final warm-up game.

The Hungarians' 4-2-3-1 formation gave the home side total control in midfield against Ireland's rigid 4-4-2 and the Italian boss feels compelled to explore other options.

A concerned Trapattoni said: "I have to show the team what happened this evening because it is my duty and we need to change.

"We must understand why. I know why, I knew before why, yesterday and the day before.

"When we meet a team with one striker, I know that between two lines, we are in difficulty.

Balance

"To have a balance, we have to give up one striker or put one more in midfield.

"In the past, I know this position, I know this line-up. I will speak with the team and I will show them our difficulty because we need to take a decision to sacrifice a striker, or we need to change the situation."

That could mean Kevin Doyle making way with Robbie Keane playing a lone forward role, or perhaps the Irish skipper being asked to play a deeper role in midfield.

Trapattoni added: "We need one more in midfield. If you watch, if you see, one more in midfield. It is clear.

"I think this evening, we have been a bit lucky because in the first half, the opponent deserved to score a minimum of two goals."