Italy manager Gennaro Gattuso labels the World Cup play-off semi-final against Northern Ireland as the most important match of his coaching career.
Gennaro Gattuso, Italy’s manager, has described the upcoming World Cup play-off semi-final against Northern Ireland as the biggest match of his coaching career. The Azzurri host Northern Ireland in Bergamo on Thursday, seeking to end a 12-year absence from the World Cup.
𝑄𝑢𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑧𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑖 𝑀𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑙𝑖 2026
ITALIA 🆚 IRLANDA DEL NORD
⏰ Ore 20.45
🏟️ Stadio di Bergamo
📺 #RaiUno#ItaliaIrlandaDelNord#Nazionale #Azzurri #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/loZ6Vli0CX— Nazionale Italiana ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri) March 26, 2026
Gattuso’s confidence is palpable, despite the pressure. “Tomorrow is definitely the most important match of my career,” he told reporters. “But I’m prepared… I’m not thinking about if things go badly, I want to think positively, think big, and tomorrow we’ll give it our best.”
Interestingly, Gattuso considers this match even bigger than the 2006 World Cup final, which he won as a player for Italy. Italy’s last World Cup knockout match was back then, making Thursday’s game crucial.
Gattuso joked that he needs sleep aids to cope with the pressure, admitting it’s a different world from his playing days. “That’s another world, I stopped playing years ago and I can’t even remember the matches I played,” he said.
Most of Italy’s players are fit, with Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni and Atalanta striker Gianluca Scamacca being the only doubts. Striker Mateo Retegui, now playing for Al-Qadsiah in Saudi Arabia, emphasized keeping calm and focusing on winning.
If Italy beats Northern Ireland, they’ll face either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina away from home on Tuesday. Northern Ireland coach Michael O’Neill wants a tight match, respecting Italy’s history and reputation.
O’Neill, who led Northern Ireland to their first European Championship in 2016, acknowledged Italy’s pressure. “The important thing for us is to play the game and not think about what’s at stake,” he said.
Northern Ireland held Italy to a goalless draw in 2021, contributing to Italy’s play-off defeat to North Macedonia. O’Neill is aware of the challenge ahead.
