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In Poznan on Sunday night Giovanni Trapattoni officially entered the record books as the oldest manager ever at a European Championship, and by the end of the game the sprightly Italian might have suddenly felt everyone one of those seventy-three years. In fact older, as the Republic of Ireland conceded an early goal against Croatia which immediately ended any possible comparisons with Stuttgart ‘88 – as Ray Houghton scored in the 6th minute. Or indeed Giants Stadium, where Houghton clipped in his goal after only eleven minutes one hot New Jersey day in July 1994. 

This was all more like Anfield 1995. Or given the keeper’s nightmare between the sticks in Poznan, the Rose Bowl in Orlando ’94, where Packie Bonner spent the ninety minutes gathering the ball from his net on tow occasions. In both those encounters Ireland were outclassed by that old footballing enemy – technical superiority. 

Which Croatia had by the bucketful. Albeit the games in the 2002 World Cup attest to an ability on the day to match Germany or indeed, Spain. Or the classic of all, when the Republic of Ireland were the better team against Russia in EURO ’88, and ended with a draw despite Ronnie Whelan’s volley. Or indeed to the some degree against the eventual winners of that same tournament in Gelsenkirchen, the Netherlands. 

Although ahead of the trip to Germany that summer just making the breakthrough to major championship was enough was enough for Jack Charlton, the players and the fans. And for the Football Association of Ireland, who did nit have enough jerseys for the players had the team qualified. Not unlike Northern Ireland in Spain 1982 when they shocked the hosts by topping the qualifying group. However this time in Poland the Republic of Ireland may have over talked their chances and Robbie Keane too should have known better - given he played alongside Luka Modric during his time at Spurs. 

If the game had started badly, as many Trapattoni games often do with early goals scored against, the dream equaliser from Sean St Ledger certainly squared things for a comeback. However that did not materialise over the ensuing ninety minutes. 

Although Trapattoni promises to review things closely on Monday in the wake of the 3-1 defeat, it is not clear whether he will actually see anything other than what he has chosen to see throughout his time at Juventus, Bayern Munich, or Red Bull Salzburg – or managing Italy in the 2002 World Cup. Where coincidentally Croatia beat Italy in the group stage with a side that that just four years previous were third best in the world cup. On seeing the draw for the EURO 2012 one imagines that it might have brought flashbacks for the Italian boss when picking the Irish team for Posnan.. 

If it didn’t before, it will most definitely do so now, as Trapattoni was uber-confident in his own system ahead of kick-off. Which in truth is a throw back to an Italian style of play prevalent back in the 1960’s and early 70’s – when Il Trap was just a slip of a young fella starting out his playing career. 

In the world of 4-3-2-1, or 3-5-1-1 and the improved athleticism of European footballers the rigid trappings of Catenaccio are easy to foil and breakdown – particularly by exceptional talents like Modric. The toing-and-froing of a team that understand total football, and can retain possession at will, can break down the monotony of 4-4-2 easily over 90 minutes. With no alternative plan at hand and Trapattoni choosing not to bring on the in-form James McClean - who would have changed the team shape no doubt - highlights that being the oldest man in the tournament is not something to shout too loudly about. Especially when the previous record holder was Otto Barić, who ironically, oversaw Croatia's 4-2 loss to England that ended to their EURO campaign four years ago. 

For balance though, Luis Aragones was just thirty days shy of his seventieth birthday when he won the EURO 2004 championship as manager of Spain. 

But then the Spanish squad was overflowing with talent in 2004 and managing them may have been a misnomer really, as they just went about demolishing all comers even in South Africa at the last world cup two years ago. And were doing the same with ease until a meeting in Gdansk with Cesare Prandelli saw El Professor and Spain outfoxed on Sunday. Added concerns for all as group stands now, with a win more vital for Spain than it would have seemed twenty-four hours ago. All of which requires a new approach from Trap on Thursday night in Gdansk. If he can muster a Plan B by then. 

Although misfiring somewhat in their first outing as a unit, Spain’s Andres Iniesta was devastating down the left flank against Italy – who now Gatusso less – don’t have the same midfield marauder to breakdown opposing playmakers - as in the recent past. Even if Giorgio Chiellini tries his best, he is more clumsy and is a red card waiting to happen over the next two games. For the record, John O’Shea no longer looks the player to be able to contain the Barcelona midfielder in full flight over 90 minutes. Something he might have done in his sleep in his Champions League heyday with Manchester United. 

How that threat from Iniesta is going to be stopped is worry number one for Trapattoni as he is clearly in form – and fresh after missing some weeks due to injury. 

With the Fernando Torres experiment set to end after the Chelsea striker fluffed his lines on a couple of occasions when he came on as a substitute on Sunday, the likelihood is that Fernando Llorente will be preferred instead. But not to start as it would play too easily to the strengths of Richard Dunne and Sean St Ledger so comfortable under the high incoming ball. No, Spain will stick with David Silva up front who fits into the mould of David Villa and with low centre of gravity could cause dizziness to the Irish back four in game two for the Republic of Ireland. 

And by the way, as everyone on the park is watching Iniesta there is the headache of Cesc Fabregas, Xavi and Busquets all roaming around with their shooting boots too. Or worst still, if Del Bosque starts with Jesus Navas down Stephen Ward’s flank, as from the moment he came on for Manchester City’s Silva, Spain looked more threatening with the added width. 

Clearly the Trapattoni’s plan was to meet Spain under different circumstances with both teams holding a valuable point and happy to rely on his much vaunted percentage game. But that is no longer an option as Spain will want to get close to Croatia’s three points to ensure safe passage to the quarterfinals and not leave it all to the last game. For Ireland a win is a must to stay in the mix – otherwise the last group game against Italy in Poznan just becomes academic. Good for Professor Del Bosque and Slavan Bilic, but not good for the Italian duo of Prandelli or Trapattoni. 

As Prandelli has decided to return to club football next season, and with national expectations diluted following the match fixing scandal in Serie-A, Italy will have nothing to lose. Or to win. But the intensity of Trapattoni may be wasted in that game if his team lose to Spain on Thursday – which they will. Especially if he can change his system. 

But stranger things have happened in Gdansk. 

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