Northern Ireland travel to Bergamo to face Italy on Thursday in a World Cup play-off semi-final, with Michael O’Neill’s side aiming to reach the finals for the first time in 40 years. The match at Atalanta’s New Balance Arena is a crucial fixture for both teams, as Italy look to avoid missing a third consecutive World Cup.
Pressure on Italy as History Looms
Italy, four-time World Cup winners, have not qualified for the tournament since 2014. The national team missed out on automatic qualification after finishing second behind Norway in their group, and now face the prospect of becoming the first former champions to miss three World Cups in a row if they fall short again. Gennaro Gattuso, who replaced Luciano Spalletti as manager in June, has won five of his six matches in charge but described the play-off as the most important fixture of his coaching career so far.
Gattuso admitted the pressure has affected him, saying he relies on sleeping pills before big matches. “At 4.30 or 5am I wake up and I’m wide-eyed like a bat,” he said. Despite the nerves, Gattuso insisted he remains focused and positive ahead of the semi-final, stating, “I’m not thinking about things going badly, I’m thinking positively.”
Italy’s technical delegate Gianluigi Buffon has also stressed the importance of respecting Northern Ireland, warning against complacency. Buffon said, “We shouldn’t have any doubt, our focus is only on Northern Ireland and the semi-final.” He highlighted the decision to stage the match at the 25,000-capacity New Balance Arena in Bergamo, where Italy have not lost in five matches over 62 years, as a strategic move to maximize the team’s chances.
Northern Ireland Embrace Underdog Role
Northern Ireland, ranked 57 places below Italy, are aiming to reach their first World Cup since 1986. Manager Michael O’Neill described the play-off as “a big opportunity and it’s important we don’t waste it.” O’Neill, who has led the team since 2012, is seeking to guide his side to a historic result. Northern Ireland have not beaten Italy since 1958, but O’Neill’s squad are determined to defy the odds.
The winner of Thursday’s match will face either Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina in the play-off final for a spot at the World Cup finals in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. If Northern Ireland advance, they would likely play that final away from home.
High Stakes in Bergamo
The play-off semi-final is part of a new European qualifying structure, with 16 teams competing in single-leg ties for four places at the expanded World Cup. The match in Bergamo is one of several high-profile fixtures, with Wales hosting Bosnia-Herzegovina and the Republic of Ireland travelling to Prague to face the Czech Republic in other semi-finals.
Italy’s recent qualification failures, including a shock defeat to North Macedonia four years ago, have heightened the sense of urgency around this campaign. Buffon and the Italian staff have emphasized the need for total focus, given the consequences of another disappointment.
Northern Ireland, meanwhile, carry the hopes of a nation that has waited four decades for a return to the World Cup stage. O’Neill’s side will need to overcome both the weight of history and the challenge of facing Italy on their home turf, where the Azzurri have enjoyed a strong record in Bergamo.
The winner of the Italy-Northern Ireland semi-final will earn a place in the play-off final, with a spot in Group B at the World Cup alongside co-hosts Canada, Switzerland, and Qatar at stake.
