The Republic of Ireland is set to battle Greece in Athens as part of the Uefa Nations League, with the showdown being broadcast live at 7.45pm Irish time on RTÉ2. Both teams enter the pitch fresh from securing victories whilst playing away matches earlier in the week.
The Irish squad bested Finland in Helsinki, cinching a 2-1 victory last Thursday thanks to a successful strike by Robbie Brady just before the closing whistle. This win marked a first for Heimir Hallgrímsson in his role as the Republic of Ireland’s manager. Concurrently in London, the Greeks stunned England in an impressive upset at Wembley Stadium, also securing a 2-1 result.
Following this triumph, Greece now holds the top position in the League B Group 2 standings with a total of nine points. In contrast, the Irish team currently holds the third position, trailing behind England with only three points.
Reporting from Athens, our correspondent Gavin Cummiskey offers a balanced perspective despite the recent victory over Finland. He pens a cautionary note to the Republic of Ireland, warning that historical patterns suggest a strategic and careful tactic should be adopted. He further elaborates by expressing his concern that the decisive win last Thursday could potentially set up false expectations, considering the past struggles suffered by the Irish team when playing in Athens.