Giovanni Trapattoni has hit back at Brian Kerr after the former Republic of Ireland manager launched a scathing attack on the Italian following their fortunate 2-1 win over Kazakhstan on Friday.
The 59-year-old, writing in the Irish Times after the narrow win, said Trapattoni's communication skills with his players had become "farcical", his team selection was "dodgy" and that the Italian had made a mess of preparations for the 3,000-mile trip to the former Soviet Republic.
But Trapattoni, pointing to Germany's game in Astana two years which the visitors won 3-0 after going in at half-time goalless, said: "Maybe Brian Kerr did not see the game of Germany in Kazakhstan. I saw the game, maybe if he saw the game he can understand why it was difficult."
When asked if he had left it too late by flying to Kazakhstan on Wednesday, allowing the team to have just one training session in Astana, Trapattoni told the gathered press: "This colleague of yours, he was a manager, he must think about what he says. The players come to you three days before and they've played one game in the league.
"It was not easy there. It was difficult with the pitch.
"On this pitch Sweden and Germany will find it hard there."
Source: PA
