Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill has stated that his team has ‘everything to gain’ in their upcoming World Cup play-off against Italy. He suggested that the longer the match remains goalless, the greater the pressure will become on the Italian side.
The semi-final clash is set to kick off in Bergamo on Thursday at 19:45 GMT (20:45 CET).
The victor of this match will progress to face either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina in the final, competing for a coveted spot in the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the USA.
Northern Ireland secured their place in these play-offs by achieving two victories over Luxembourg and one against Slovakia, while experiencing losses twice to Germany and once to Slovakia. Their promotion to Nations League B was also a decisive factor in earning this play-off opportunity.
O’Neill Expresses Confidence in Northern Ireland
During his press conference, O’Neill asserted, “We have everything to gain in this match, there’s no doubt about that.”
He continued, “These players have already gained experience in significant matches and venues, including away games against Germany and Slovakia. Tomorrow presents a crucial test for us, but we are prepared.”
O’Neill emphasized the need to focus on the game itself, rather than the high stakes. “There are immense expectations on Italy, given their status as a great footballing nation, and we must not be intimidated,” he stated. “We have many young players, and this experience will be integral to their development.”
Concerns remain regarding Preston midfielder Ali McCann’s availability, but O’Neill confirmed he trained and expressed optimism about his potential to start.
Northern Ireland typically employs a 3-5-2 formation, a setup that Italy’s coach Gennaro Gattuso is also anticipated to utilize in this encounter.
Analyzing Gattuso’s six matches as Italy coach, O’Neill noted, “We can learn from those games. We understand they possess various attacking options and a strong three-man defense. While we anticipate certain players, our success hinges on our performance and how effectively we manage the threats they pose.”
Earlier, Gattuso admitted to losing sleep over the World Cup campaign, acknowledging the significant weight of his responsibilities.
O’Neill conceded, “Naturally, managing Italy is vastly different from managing Northern Ireland.”
He expressed admiration for Gattuso, stating, “I truly admire him for taking on the role at that specific time. In six games, he secured five wins and suffered only one loss, against Norway. That defeat was their last match, which could be a psychological factor for them, but I hold great respect for Gattuso.”
Italy’s coach previously described Northern Ireland as a “very vertical team,” known for their preference for sending long balls into the penalty area.
O’Neill responded, “I don’t believe he’s underestimating us. Italy also employs long balls, from their center-backs to their wingers. The crucial aspect for us is having a clear game plan and executing it effectively.”
He continued, “We must be realistic. It would be naive to arrive here expecting to dominate the game. We have a well-rehearsed game plan that has proven successful in the past.”
“We performed exceptionally well to reach this stage,” O’Neill proudly stated. “Despite facing some challenges in the group, the players are fully aware of the stakes. This is a singular, decisive match, and we are ready. Young players often approach such situations without fear, and while they will have future opportunities, they must not squander this present chance.”
The immense pressure is undeniably on Italy, a fact Northern Ireland aims to exploit to their advantage.
O’Neill reiterated, “We hold great respect for Italy, but our objective is to make things difficult for them, and the psychological element could prove to be a significant factor.”
“We are aware of the strength of their midfield, featuring players like Sandro Tonali, Manuel Locatelli, Nicolò Barella, and Pio Esposito,” he acknowledged.
However, he noted, “This current Italian squad doesn’t boast individual talents like Alessandro Del Piero or Francesco Totti; their strength lies more in the collective. Nevertheless, we respect them, as they possess many high-caliber players.”
O’Neill believes the pressure on Italy will intensify considerably if the match remains goalless for an extended period.
“It is crucial for us to stay competitive and ensure the game isn’t too open,” O’Neill concluded. “The longer it stays 0-0, the more pressure builds on the favorites. We know we can also pose a threat to them through planned attacks or set-pieces.”
He added, “We don’t anticipate a high-scoring game; we are hoping for a very tight contest. We even shared some quotes from Italian newspapers with the squad. Ultimately, how Italy manages the pressure will be a decisive factor.”
Northern Ireland has faced some injury setbacks, with Sunderland defender Daniel Ballard and Liverpool’s Conor Bradley both forced to withdraw from the squad.