Shamrock Rovers aim for historic upset

Shamrock Rovers will be out to cause one of football's biggest upsets when Juventus visit Tallaght Stadium tonight, kick-off 7.45pm.

The glamour fixture against one of European football's heavyweights is Rovers' reward for knocking out Bnei Yehuda of Tel Aviv in the previous round of the Europa League.

The victory in Israel led to a scramble for tickets but Rovers were denied permission by UEFA to install extra seats and capacity has been limited to 6,000.

Despite the gulf in ability, Rovers' boss Michael O'Neill believes his side are capable of scaring the Old Lady of Italian football.

O'Neill said: 'I think we have a group of players here that are capable of ruffling a few feathers in the Juventus team and who knows what will happen on the night.'

Rovers met Real Madrid in a friendly at the south Dublin venue last summer and O'Neill believes the hype around that game could benefit his players tonight. No pressure.

O'Neill said: 'I think the atmosphere that night helped. Familiarity of having done that will help them to a certain point.

'You obviously respect the opposition, and you respect what they've done in the game. But it doesn't overawe you and obviously affect your own game.'

Juventus boast a number of World Cup winners, such as Alessandro Del Piero and David Trezeguet, in their squad, but O'Neill remains focussed on what his own players will do

'In my own mind I'm clear about what we need to do,' he said.

'Our preparation has been concentrated on us, looking at the positive side of our games and making the players aware of the positive side of our games and that's where our focus will be.'

Rovers have a full squad to choose from apart from long-term absentees Pat Sullivan and Dessie Baker. O'Neill may choose to go with five in midfield with Gary Twigg as the lone striker.

O'Neill believes the pressure is all on the visitors and his players will be free to play without fear.

'It's a game that as a club, and a group of players, we can really only benefit from. Its chance to enhance reputations, individually and collectively, an opportunity play against the best in the world.

'Expectations aren't there the way they were with the Bnei Yehuda game. Against them we had a realistic chance and were desperate to progress.

'With Juve coming to Tallaght the pressure is off and there's an opportunity to enjoy the occasion although we understand how important it is to give a good account of ourselves.'

Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni, who was in charge of an AC Milan team that drew 0-0 with Athlone Town in 1975, warned Juventus during the week not to underestimate Rovers.

Juve finished seventh last season in Serie A, 27 points behind champions Inter Milan and Luigi Delneri was recruited in the summer to bring glory back to the Turin club.

The 21-man squad arrived in Ireland yesterday and held a light training session at Tallaght Stadium. Delneri confirmed that Italian international Nicola Legrottaglie will not play due to injury.

Delneri said: 'We are taking it very seriously. Shamrock Rovers are a very well organised and very well prepared team and, of course, it's on their own pitch.

'Winning is the priority but it's not guaranteed. You have to go out there and win the match. We must play like Juventus.'

Felipe Melo, Mauro Camoranesi and Fabio Grosso have been left in Italy to work on their fitness. The Italian League does not begin until 28 August with Juve away to Bari in their first game.

The second leg will take place in Modena next Thursday as U2 will be playing in the Stadio Olimpico in Turin.