Giovanni Trapattoni is looking forward to meeting one of his old players when his Republic of Ireland team play Italy in a friendly tonight.
The 72-year old Coach worked with Italy boss Cesare Prandelli at Juventus and has nothing but praise for his former midfielder.
"Prandelli was my player, I have great affection for him and I wish him the best of luck for the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign," he said.
"But I am not wishing him luck against us.
Giovanni Trapattoni is looking forward to meeting one of his old players when his Republic of Ireland team play Italy in a friendly tonight.
The 72-year old Coach worked with Italy boss Cesare Prandelli at Juventus and has nothing but praise for his former midfielder.
"Prandelli was my player, I have great affection for him and I wish him the best of luck for the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign," he said.
"But I am not wishing him luck against us.
"He wasn't the best player I had at Juventus, but he was a great man, a player any Coach would like to have. He was a very intelligent individual.
"He was a reserve, but he was one of the reserves that could be counted on when you needed him.
"A great team needs substitutes like him who are always ready to step in and deliver. It is a Coach's dream to have players like that."