Preview: Ireland need attacking courage to upset odds

Eileen Gleeson has a tactical Rubik's Cube to solve.

Tonight, the Republic of Ireland welcome reigning European champions England to the Aviva Stadium for a blockbuster Euro 2025 qualifier. It's the first time the countries have met in a women's football international since 1987, when a Kerry Davis goal earned the Lionesses a 1-0 win at Dalymount Park.

While Ireland fell to a 1-0 defeat against France last Friday night, England toiled to a 1-1 draw against Sweden. Sarina Wiegman's team were - by their high standards - a little off. The Swedes had less possession but they were a menace on the break, and could have come away from Wembley with three points.

Ireland, meanwhile, had no complaints in Metz. France had 21 efforts on goal; the visitors had one, a tame Caitlin Hayes header late on. They didn't win a single corner all game, and only a combination of poor finishing, excellent Courtney Brosnan goalkeeping and typically committed defending kept the score down.

There's no great shame in that. The French are a brilliant outfit; powerful, quick and blessed with a remarkable pool of talent.

The conundrum for Gleeson is that Ireland have openly declared their intention to go toe-to-toe with the very best teams, and now they're here, they must resist leaning back on the ropes in the hope their opponents will punch themselves out. It's just not going to happen.

Group rivals France, England and Sweden all have several gifted footballers who will do serious damage if they're allowed to own the ball in the opposition half for large periods of the game.

It's hard to get the balance right between having a go and leaving yourself vulnerable, but Ireland will surely look back on the loss to France and understand they require more