Michael O’Neill warns Northern Ireland to not underestimate San Marino

Michael O’Neill has told his Northern Ireland players to approach Friday’s World Cup Qualifier in San Marino in the same manner as if they were facing Germany.

There are 202 spots between the Germans and the principality in the FIFA world rankings, but O’Neill insists his players must adopt the same mindset when they take to the field at the Olimpico di Serravalle.

The Northern Ireland manager said: „We’ve looked at how teams have not played as smartly as they could have and maybe underestimated San Marino.
„That’s something we’ve hammered home to the players.

„The one thing you always want to avoid is complacency in this type of game and the way to do that is to point out the mistakes you’ve made, your potential weaknesses and to make sure on the night we play as if we’re playing Germany or the Czech Republic.
„Having seen the players this week, that’s what we anticipate for the type of performance we’ll get.

„We don’t envisage it will be easy for us. Whether you win 1-0 or 6-0, it’s irrelevant. The key is making sure we win the game.“

It is possible for Northern Ireland to secure second place in Group C, depending on results by the Czech Republic and Azerbaijan. Northern Ireland entertain the Czechs on Monday.
Looking ahead, O’Neill added: „We’ve had many discussions of where we are as a team in terms of how we would negotiate this group.

„It wasn’t easy, particularly when Germany and the Czechs were group winners for the Euros, Norway were beaten in the play-offs and we knew Azerbaijan would present difficulties, as San Marino are capable of as well.

„The key was could we maintain the momentum after the Euros? And we did that very well in the opening four games.

„I felt once we negotiated the opening four games we were going to be in a good place, which we were. Then you get big results.

„There’s no doubt that the Stuart Dallas goal in Azerbaijan was a huge result for us because Norway and the Czech Republic drew, and it gave us the four-point cushion that we have now.

„The way the fixtures have fallen, we’re in a position to really benefit from that result.

„There’s always been an underlying fear that I think motivates you and drives you on to make sure you try and keep the team at the level they’re at, and I think that fear has been there for the players as much as it’s been there for me.

„They deserve enormous credit, for what has been a difficult group and some difficult circumstances, to be in the position they’re in after six games with a lot to play for in the remaining four games.“Euro Soccer Bonus

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