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Jack Byrne expects an impressive personal performance for Shamrock Rovers when the Hoops face AC Milan in the Europa League at Tallaght Stadium.
And while the Dubliner’s only focus is on the green and white of the Rovers and not on Ireland, it is aware that such a demonstration would hardly hurt its chances of being withdrawn from the international market.
Despite the odds against the league leaders, Byrne believes the Rovers have the quality to do well against the seven-time European Cup champions.
Byrne said his team’s focus for the game is to take the name out of the equation, remember that it is 11v11 at night and focus on the areas where the Rovers can hurt Milan’s traveling team.
A bittersweet occasion for the former Manchester City player, who would love to play in front of fans, family and friends in a packed Tallaght stadium, yet he is also aware that the high-profile draw might not have happened if Covid -19 travel restrictions did not reduce the numbers.
The Dublin club had a three-to-one chance to face the Italians once UEFA divided the teams into groups of government guides and, as a result of a favorable draw, the Rovers will play the Italians in a one-off match. game in which the winner takes all on Thursday night.
“It is a big problem when a club like AC Milan comes to Ireland and we are proud to be able to represent the club in such an important match,” Byrne said, speaking to RTE Sport.
“It’s different and without fans, so it’s a bittersweet moment. We’re looking forward to it. Football is crazy, it’s 11 against 11 and you never know what will happen.
“I think the giveaway was organized differently and we may not have gotten them if Covid-19 hadn’t been here. So you have to take the good with the bad.”
“We would love for the fans to be there, but we know that the fans, family and friends will be watching and we want to go out and give ourselves a good account and hopefully get it right,” Byrne added, referring to the fact that the RTE broadcasts the game live in Ireland and the UK.
Heading into the game, Byrne said that coach Stephen Bradley has been working on the basis that they face 11 players instead of AC Milan and has been analyzing where the Rovers can harm the Italian team, and vice versa.
And while the 24-year-old is more than aware of the quality of the team he will face, Byrne is still eager to meet the challenge of facing such esteemed opponents.
“They have some world-class players, but that’s what you want to do, test your levels against the best teams.
“We have played well this year and we believe in what we do. The coach has prepared us well and we will do well.”
“It’s a game, you take away the AC Milan name when you do your analysis on them, just look at the 11 on the field and see where we can hurt them and where they can hurt us. This is how we will try to get closer.” the game; It’s 11 versus 11 and we think we can do well, as we can certainly play. “
Byrne doesn’t think the game is a free throw for the Hoops, who enter the game as massive underdogs, however, he feels it could benefit the Rovers if the Italians proved a bit complacent in their approach.
“You want to give a good account of yourself. They don’t want to think it’s a free throw and go out there and get beaten four or five to zero.
“No game in Europe is easy, they are all difficult games. Some teams underestimate the Irish teams when they come here, but we have a good team, we have five internationals in our team, and at night they are the one who plays the best.”
Byrne hopes to put on a good performance as he tests himself against some of the best players in Europe and knows that a great performance would not affect his chances of winning a recall for Ireland’s Euro 2020 qualifier against Slovakia next month.
“These are games like this where I have to do well, and that doesn’t put me under pressure to say I have to go out and put on the show against AC Milan.
“I just want to do well in these games and in as many big games as I can to try and put myself on Stephen’s mind.
“I’m doing my best and I’m working hard trying to get it right. If Stephen thinks I’m performing well enough to include me on his team, I’d be incredibly proud to represent my country again. And I guess a good performance against him. AC Milan will not harm me. ”
And the star midfielder, who was named the Irish League player of the year in 2019, although he also made his international debut, does not seek to showcase himself with a great performance, but prefers to do so for the club and the manager, who does it. helped earn that international cap by launching his career.
“I want to do well in these games and do well for Shamrock Rovers because this is a club that has been very good to me and gave me a platform to move forward and make my international debut.
“And we have a coach who has been good to me and really supported me when I was not playing that well. I just want to do the best I can for the club and the fans and do my best on pitch.
“It’s not every day that AC Milan comes to town. It will be an incredible occasion.”
Follow Shamrock Rovers v AC Milan (start at 7pm) via our live blog on RTÉ.ie / sport and the RTÉ news app, or watch live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player starting at 6.30pm
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