SHUTTING down Slovakia's Serie A star Stanislav Lobotka could be the key for the Republic of Ireland in next week's Euro 2021 qualifying semi-final,
Lobotka, who transferred from Celta Vigo to Napoli for £25million during the summer, is a dynamic presence in an experienced midfield that provides stability, energy and creativity for Pavel Hapal's team.
Experienced campaigners Marek Hamsik and Juraj Kucka are the other cogs in the midfield trio and Slovakia manager Hapal can also call upon the talent of centre-back pairing Milan Skriniar and Denis Vavro who play their club football for Inter Milan and Lazio respectively.
"They have a very consistent selection," said Stephen Kenny but the Ireland boss insists his main focus is preparing his own side for the winner-takes-all showdown in Bratislava on October 8.
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"From my point of view, the main thing that is we prepare well and we are ready," he added after announcing his squad in Dublin yesterday.
Kenny's tenure began with a 1-1 draw in Bulgaria followed by a 1-0 home loss against Finland but he insisted: "It was great to have last month.
"We were a little bit experimental in the two games and changed the midfield. We had a good look at our midfield options and our attacking options. Obviously, we particularly experimented with Aaron Connolly and Adam Idah coming in and Callum O'Dowda who hadn't been in the previous 22. We had a look at the midfield players that came in. Some things worked better than others.
"Slovakia are a possession-based team. It's a different challenge but I'm very pleased a number of players are playing every week now and they did really well when we were together. We learned some things over the two games and I've a very clear idea of what I want against Slovakia."
Slovakia have struggled to score goals in recent games and the form of Shane Duffy, John Egan, Matt Doherty, Enda Stevens and Seamus Coleman should give the Republic a very solid defensive base in Bratislava.
Duffy joined Celtic on a season-long loan deal from Brighton and Kenny says the switch from the bench to the first XI in Glasgow will benefit the Derry native.
"Shane needs to play regularly," he said.
"Is the move a good move for him, going to Celtic and not playing against the calibre of players in the Premier League every week? That was an argument, but one thing about Shane going to Celtic is he will get a lot of matches playing in the SPL and hopefully in the Europa League. Different challenges.
"He could have played for his team in the Premier League who defend with a low block. We know he can do that all day and defend the edge of his box.
"But the reason I see the move to Celtic as being advantageous is that they will certainly defend with a higher line and that is what we need practice in. They (Slovakia) will have loads of possession and there's practice in that as he's a good passer of the ball. These are things that I think can benefit his play.
"If he's playing two matches a week, which is the case nearly, that's great. He will be really sharp and fit and he'll get loads of practice playing with how we will play in that we won't be defending really deep and he will get plenty of the ball.
"I don't see it as an issue. I know there is a trade-off but they are playing in the Europa League as well which is high quality as well, so I don't see it as a negative."
In midfield, James McCarthy has been in excellent form for Crystal Palace. McCarthy was overlooked by Kenny's predecessor Mick McCarthy but looks certain to play against Slovakia alongside Jeff Hendrick.
"He’s in the team and doing a very good job," said Kenny.
"The extra games have helped him because he’s the type of player that needs to be playing regularly. The fact he’s playing regularly is advantageous for us. I’m delighted with that."
Meanwhile, Mark Sykes wasn't considered for this squad because the paperwork that will confirm his change of allegiance from Northern Ireland to the Republic still hasn't been completed. Meanwhile, Kenny said he'd had no contact with Leeds United's in-form striker Patrick Bamford or Man City frontman Liam Delap (son of 11-cap winger Rory Delap).
