Irish eyes should be smiling ahead of the Republic’s World Cup playoff clash against France in Paris on Wednesday despite the visitors trailing by a goal, according to team manager Giovanni Trapattoni.

“I’m confident, because in football every match is different. From the opponents to the circumstances, nothing’s ever the same,” Trapattoni told reporters here on Tuesday. “I’ve told all my players to be confident. We can believe in ourselves.”

Statistics are firmly against the men from the Emerald Isle, who haven’t beaten France away since 1931 and, notably, haven’t beaten a top ranked team in official competition since a win over Turkey in qualifiers for Euro 1992.

But with a place in the World Cup at stake, it’s no surprise the Republic — aiming to qualify for the first time since 2002 when they made it to the second round — want to believe in a dream finale to their campaign.

While France coach Raymond Domenech says his charges are “impatient” to show their superiority, the Irish know they have everything to win.

“The pressure’s on the French,” said the Republic’s captain Robbie Keane. “They’re playing at home and the home fans will be expecting them to play well.

“We’ve got nothing to lose, and everything to win,” added the Spurs marksman, one of the few survivors from the 2002 vintage.

Trapattoni hopes to send out the same team that lost 1-0 at Croke Park in Dublin on Saturday, when a deflected shot from France striker Nicolas Anelka gave ‘Les Bleus’ a first leg advantage.

“Prior to yesterday [the final training session] I wanted to make some changes,” added the Italian. “But I want all the same players to be given their chance again. They’ve all recovered and I’m sure they’ll be ready to go another 90 minutes.”