The danger is whether this much-improved performance gives Trapattoni the ammunition to stay on as manager. If he does, he won’t have the same players.

The performance may have been much improved but it could only paper over the cracks of an unhappy Ireland squad who have been ruthlessly exposed on their long-awaited return to the big stage.

They waited 10 years for a place in a major finals and it was over in five days.

For the first time in Euro 2012, they did manage to get to the five-minute mark without conceding a goal, and in fact if Kevin Doyle had kept his head and his feet they could have taken the lead after just 20 seconds.

The Wolves striker seized on a loose, weak pass by Andrea Pirlo from kick-off but lost his footing as he tried to run at centre-backs Andrea Barzagli and Giorgio Chiellini, allowing the pair to clear between them.

The Italian response was immediate and Ireland fans may have feared the worst when Antonio Di Natale found space on the right and his cross was met by Daniele De Rossi, whose meaty volley flew harmlessly wide.

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