Italian national team coach Gennaro Gattuso has openly acknowledged the immense pressure surrounding Italy’s crucial World Cup qualifying playoff against Northern Ireland, stating only “someone without blood running through their veins” wouldn’t feel nervous. The Azzurri face the daunting task of overcoming their recent playoff failures to avoid missing a third consecutive World Cup.
The 2006 World Cup winner, maintaining the gritty demeanor that characterized his playing career, addressed several controversies ahead of Thursday’s decisive match in Bergamo. Most notably, Gattuso sent winger Federico Chiesa back to Liverpool despite the player’s recent return to the national team after a nearly two-year absence. The coach described the decision as mutual, citing Chiesa’s physical issues and mental state, though it marks a potential definitive break with the standout performer of Italy’s European Championship victory five years ago.
Italy’s qualification hopes hinge on defeating Northern Ireland at home before facing either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina away next week. The team seeks to avoid extending their World Cup drought beyond 16 years, having suffered disappointing playoff eliminations against Sweden and North Macedonia in previous cycles.
Gattuso emphasized the irrelevance of Italy’s historic achievements—four World Cups, two European Championships, and an Olympic title—in the current context. “There are no alibis,” he stated. “The only thing we should be thinking about is Thursday’s game.”
Both teams face significant roster challenges. Beyond Chiesa’s departure, Italy remains without injured players Sandro Tonali, Gianluca Scamacca, and Alessandro Bastoni, though they remain with the squad. Northern Ireland suffered their own setback with center back Daniel Ballard ruled out due to a hamstring injury, joining captain Conor Bradley on the sidelines.
Gattuso revealed extensive efforts to maintain team spirit, including dinners with players across Italy and visits to London, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. The coach deliberately selected Bergamo’s 23,500-seat stadium to create a more supportive atmosphere than Milan’s San Siro, where he noted fans previously whistled at players from rival clubs.
The playoff arrives amid a successful period for Italian sports across disciplines including Winter Olympics, Formula 1, tennis, volleyball, and baseball. Gattuso expressed motivation from these achievements, viewing Thursday’s match as an opportunity to reverse football’s current struggles. Should Italy qualify, they would join Group B with Canada, Qatar, and Switzerland for the North American World Cup.