Giovanni Trapattoni believes he is due some luck as he leads the Republic of Ireland into Euro 2012.
Ireland, of course, were denied a chance to reach the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa by William Gallas' goal, which should have been disallowed for handball by Thierry Henry during the build-up. In addition, Trapattoni's Italy were sent tumbling out of Euro 2004 when Denmark and Sweden played out a 2-2 draw which meant both progressed at the expense of their rivals.
The Ireland manager said: "I go back to the match at the Euros, Sweden against Denmark and after that, France and Ireland. (Then France manager Raymond) Domenech said to me, 'Giovanni, you know football...', and I said to Domenech, 'Yes, I know football'."
He went on: "Sweden against Denmark, I remember the game. Do you know what [UEFA president Lennart] Johansson said? 'If this game finishes in a draw, we will open an investigation'.
"Do you know if he made the investigation? I'm still waiting for the investigation."
Trapattoni's conspiracy theory, which was strenuously denied by the Scandinavian neighbours at the time, carried little weight with UEFA, although both incidents have left him feeling his fortunes must change at some point.
His current charges will look to open their Euro 2012 account with victory over Croatia in Poznan on Sunday after three weeks of meticulous preparation.
But rather than excitement, the Italian has revealed it is with a healthy sense of tension that he will approach their opening Group C fixture.
He said: "I am not particularly excited, I'm a little tense. I want to keep a level of tension.
"If the manager doesn't keep the tension, the players can lose intensity. The manager needs to keep a positive tension."
Source: PA
