Italy vs. Northern Ireland: 2:45 AM on 27/3, Hanoi time.

"I would be lying if I said that when I lie down to sleep, I don't hear voices saying 'take us to the World Cup'," Gattuso said on 25/3 at the pre-match press conference in Bergamo. "This is certainly the most important match of my career." The 48-year-old coach also admitted to struggling with sleep before the match, even needing medical assistance. "Without sleep aids, I could be awake until 4:30 AM."

Coach Gennaro Gattuso at the pre-match press conference for Italy's World Cup 2026 play-off semifinal against Northern Ireland on 25/3. *Photo: PA*

Italy faces immense pressure to qualify for the World Cup, having missed the previous two tournaments. In the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, Italy lost 0-1 on aggregate to Sweden in two play-off matches. Four years later, they again lost 0-1 to North Macedonia in the play-off semifinal, extending their absence from the global stage.

Gattuso, however, chooses not to dwell on past failures. "If a penalty had been scored, everything would have been different. Football always needs luck, but now we must focus on the present," he stressed. The 48-year-old manager affirmed the goal is to bring Italy back to the World Cup as a contender.

"We need to remain calm, but also be ready to fight like our opponents, who view every play as vital," Gattuso expressed. He emphasized the dual nature of the game: "There are two games in one match: with the ball and without the ball. Italy must perform well in both. There are no easy matches left."

The Italy national team training on 24/3.

Today, Italy will host Northern Ireland in the play-off semifinal at the Azzurri d'Italia stadium in Bergamo. If they win, Gattuso's team will face Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina on 31/3 to compete for a spot in North America this summer.

Gattuso warned about Northern Ireland's playing style. "We must be ready to endure as they continuously deliver long balls into the penalty area. Every set-piece situation can become dangerous, with 8-9 players rushing to contest second balls. That is their characteristic, and they do it very well."

Gattuso stated that the team has prepared thoroughly on tactics, from video analysis meetings to direct discussions with players. He revealed Italy is ready for a penalty shootout scenario, with each player practicing three penalty kicks during the pre-match training session. If Italy is awarded a penalty in the match, Mateo Retegui – the striker currently playing for Saudi Arabian club Al-Qadsiah – will be the first choice.

Regarding squad strength, Gattuso confirmed that Gianluca Mancini, Matteo Politano, and Riccardo Calafiori are fit to play. Meanwhile, Alessandro Bastoni has only partially trained with the team, and Gianluca Scamacca has not yet reached his best condition. Nevertheless, Scamacca remains with the team instead of withdrawing. "I like that spirit. Some players could barely stand at first but still tried to hold on," Gattuso said.

Italy's predicted starting lineup (according to Football Italy): Donnarumma; Calafiori, Mancini, Bastoni; Politano, Locatelli, Tonali, Barella, Dimarco; Kean, Retegui.

Hong Duy (according to Football Italy)