SOCCER WORLD CUP QUALIFYING GROUP EIGHT - THE ITALIANS IN DUBLIN: STEPHEN FINNmeets a few of the estimated 10,000 Italians living in this country and while they back Trap, there true loyalties are still with Lippi
A BALMY night in Dublin felt ever so like Rome from home for thousands of Italians living in Ireland’s capital city.
When Fabio Grosso’s winning spot-kick in Berlin secured Italy’s fourth World Cup success after a dramatic final against France, the Irish-based Italians partied like they were dancing at the Trevi Fountain.
It is estimated that 10,000 Italians now live in Ireland and three years ago it seemed most of them had converged on Temple Bar to toast the success of Marcelo Lippi’s side.
“2006 was great because it was the first World Cup I saw them win. It was a great feeling,” recalls Giuseppe Manai, a Sardinian who works in Revenue’s research department.
“There were lots of Italians around but the Irish were very supportive. We went to the same pub every time because we won the first time we went to it and stayed with it all the way to the final.
“The final coincided with my graduation from college so my family was here. Dublin was full of Italians. Temple Bar square must have had 3,000 Italians there – it felt like being at home.”
Manai is typical of many Italians who came to Ireland at the height of the Celtic Tiger and found the culture and way of life to his liking so he stayed.
He married a fellow Italian during the summer but Dublin is their home now. On Saturday night he will find his loyalty to his new home tested when his national team arrives for a crucial World Cup qualifier.
“I get lots of jokes but mainly it happens that every time I meet somebody new and they realise I’m Italian they ask me ‘What do you think of Trapattoni?’, he explained.
“My two sisters are coming over from Sardinia. We’ll organise a few Italian friends to watch the game in a local pub but we’ll probably be keeping a low profile this time.”
The appointment of former Juventus, Inter Milan and Bayern Munich boss Trapattoni has elevated all things Italian in the minds of Irish football fans.
But some of the Italians who live in Dublin feel the Irish public is unaware how lucky they are to have secured the services of the legendary Milan native.
“A lot of people have asked me about what I thought of Trapattoni and I really don’t think people know the history of this guy,” explains Stefano Manassero, a fitness instructor and massage therapist from Venice.
“Most of them just think of him as being a manager all his life but they don’t realise that he’s been a hugely successful player.
“He won everything with AC Milan, he won the European Cup, the Italian League – they say he was the first man to have stopped Pelé. Pelé couldn’t play against Trapattoni. He was a very tough guy.”
Juventus fan Manassero is well known in Irish football circles having worked as physio with Bohemians for many seasons and he fears for Ireland’s chances of qualifying for South Africa.
“To tell you the truth I obviously want Italy and Ireland to go through but I thought if Ireland topped the group it was their best chance,” he said.
“Italy would be very strong in the play-off whereas with Ireland I’d be a little bit worried about them. When the chips are down the Italians really come out. Ireland could play a strong team in the play-offs.”
After a dreadful showing at the Confederations Cup in South Africa during the summer, the current Italian team is not seen in the same light as the side Lippi led to glory in Germany three years ago.
Lippi’s return as replacement for Roberto Donadoni following a poor showing at last year’s European Championships still divides opinion amongst Italian fans.
Another Juve fan, Alessandro Molatore, from Montello near Lake Como, is post-production training manager at Filmbase in Temple Bar. He still regards Lippi highly.
“It’s hard to criticise Lippi as a coach as he’s always done extremely well. With Juventus he was probably one of the most successful coaches in the world,” said Molatore.
“Definitely when he started he had more courage than now. The Juventus side of the mid-1990s with Baggio, Vialli, Ravanelli and Del Piero was a really entertaining team.
“With the national team it wasn’t a spectacular team, more solid with a good defence and attitude. I wouldn’t criticise somebody who has won the world title but it’s not a new way of playing football. I’m not sure if it’s just the manager or the nature of Italian football players.”
Lazio fan and Rome native Fabio Santoro runs the Steps of Rome pizza restaurant near Grafton Street and he’ll be cheering on the Azzurri against Trap’s men.
“I’ll be going with my father and friends. Not that many people are coming from Italy as it isn’t a life or death game. Even if it goes bad on Saturday we still have another chance against Cyprus,” he explained.
“I expect a 1-1 draw. Everybody will be happy. Italy will be first, Ireland second and it’s probably the best for everybody with each team having one game left. It’ll see both of them through to the next stage.
“When people come into the restaurant they always talk about Trapattoni. He’s improving his English and I think people will love him more and more.
“If Ireland qualify for the World Cup people will love him even more. People are talking to us more now because they have that Italian feeling.”
