Michael O’Neill says his players firmly believe they can get a result against Italy in tonight’s FIFA World Cup 2026 play-off semi-final.
Italy, who have lifted the World Cup on four occasions, are strong favourites to win the game at Stadio di Bergamo (7.45 kick-off).
However, the Italians have failed to qualify for the last two World Cups and they are under immense pressure to ensure it will not be three failures in a row with this summer’s finals in Canada, Mexico and USA on the horizon.
At the pre-match press conference O’Neill said his players have “the belief” that they can upset the apple cart against Gennaro Gattuso’s side at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo, which is home to Serie A side Atalanta.
The Northern Ireland manager insisted his young squad will have "no fear" going in to the game and he is confident they can get a result if they execute his game plan for the encounter.
He admitted the match will be “a huge test” for his team, who will be captained by Trai Hume. But he added that he believes it's a test which his players are ready to take.
O’Neill further pointed out: "The important thing for us is to play the game and not think about what's at stake. The expectation clearly lies with the home nation and the big nation, which is Italy.”
The Northern Ireland boss noted Italy do not have global superstars like Alessandro Del Piero in their ranks these days but they are a solid team unit who will be respected by Northern Ireland.
He said he respects Italian boss Gattuso, who has won five of his six games in charge of the national team to date.
But he also pointed out: "We have to not be intimidated by the reputation of the players that they have, and I don't think we will be.
"If you look at this game, we're the team with everything to gain, they're the team with everything to lose.
"They have a lot of expectation as a football nation and they'll have to deal with that, but that's for them. We can't really use it. We've just got to make the game as difficult for the opposition as possible.”
Influential Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali is expected to be fit for tonight’s game despite missing Newcastle United's derby defeat to Sunderland at the weekend.
He is one of three Premier League players who are likely to be in the Italy starting line-up. The others are Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori.
The bulk of the Italian squad is made up of players who operate in Serie A in their homeland.
Gattuso hopes Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni, who has been nursing a knock, will be available for selection, although Atalanta striker Gianluca Scamacca looks set to miss out due to injury.
Former Genoa and Atalanta striker Mateo Retegui, who plays his football in the Saudi Pro League with Al-Qadsiah these days, is expected to lead the line for the Azzurri along with former Everton, Juventus and PSG forward Moise Kean, who is now with Fiorentina.
Italy’s midfield will likely feature Inter pair Nicolo Barella (68 caps) and David Frattesi (33 caps) as well as Manuel Locatelli of Juventus (34 caps). Barella and Donnarumma (79 caps) are the most experienced players in the Italian squad.
Northern Ireland, who have not been to a World Cup finals in 40 years, are in Path A of the European play-offs for this summer’s World Cup tournament along with the Italians, Wales and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
If O’Neill’s side win tonight’s game in Bergamo they will then face a play-off final away against either the Welsh or the Bosnians next Tuesday (31 March) where the prize for the winner will be a place at the FIFA World Cup 2026 tournament.
The game will be live on BBC iPlayer, BBC Three, BBC One NI and the BBC Sport website. And you can listen on BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Sounds. Follow all the updates on @Northern Ireland social channels.
