Republic of Ireland boss Stephen Kenny has said he is targeting a "big away victory" in Athens when Ireland face Greece in the upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers this month.
Ireland will head to Athens to play Greece in their group on June 16, so it is vital that Ireland get their qualifying campaign up and running. Kenny's side lost 1-0 to France in March and is without a win in Group B. Greece, on the other hand, beat Gibraltar 3-0 in the March set of fixtures.
This week, Kenny announced the 25-man squad for the games against Greece and Gibraltar, and the squad will travel to Turkey next week for warm weather training.
If Ireland has any chance of getting out of the group via second place, they must beat the teams around them, which includes the likes of Greece and Gibraltar
Kenny knows that being second best in the upcoming June fixtures will not help Ireland reach EURO 2024.
🇮🇪 𝐈𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐒𝐐𝐔𝐀𝐃 𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐃 ⚽
❌Ogbene injured, Duffy out
✅ Scales, Sykes in
Stephen Kenny has named his 25-strong squad for the #Euro2024 qualifiers against Greece and Gibraltar this month
Thoughts? 🤔
☘ #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/FBqYTbc4a3— Off The Ball (@offtheball) June 1, 2023
The Ireland manager is firmly focusing on beating Greece in Athens to boost Ireland's chances first
"It's a game we want to win for sure," Kenny said to the media on Thursday.
"We'd like a big away victory. Greece is a formidable team. They won their four games last June in the [Nations League] group. They're a team that has really improved under the manager, and I think they're expansive, playing in a 4-3-3 formation.
"They're already in a play-off [by virtue of their Nations League showing], so they'll view it like they have nothing to lose.
"They're quite an attacking team, so we'll absolutely make sure we get ourselves into the best possible condition and frame of mind to play, and we'll go in search of a big away win."
Republic of Ireland Squad - Greece & GibraltarGoalkeepers: Gavin Bazunu (Southampton), Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth)
Defenders: Matt Doherty (Atlético Madrid), Mark Sykes (Bristol City), Callum O'Dowda (Cardiff City), James McClean (Wigan Athletic), Nathan Collins (Wolverhampton Wanderers), John Egan (Sheffield United), Dara O'Shea (West Bromwich Albion), Darragh Lenihan (Middlesbrough), Liam Scales (Celtic).
Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Burnley), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Jeff Hendrick (Reading), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Will Smallbone (Southampton), Jason Knight (Derby County), Jamie McGrath (Wigan Athletic), Jack Taylor (Peterborough United).
Forwards: Adam Idah (Norwich City), Michael Obafemi (Burnley), Evan Ferguson (Brighton and Hove Albion), Troy Parrott (Tottenham Hotspur), Mikey Johnston (Vitória de Guimarães, on loan from Celtic).UEFA EURO 2024 - Fixtures16/06 - Greece v Ireland, OPAP Arena, 7.45pm (21.45pm local time)19/06 - Ireland v Gibraltar, Aviva Stadium, 7.45pm
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