Italy ‘must not get hysterical’ if Northern Ireland are frustrating | OneFootball

Gennaro Gattuso’s assistant Luigi Riccio insists Italy and their fans must not ‘get hysterical’ if they struggle to break Northern Ireland down early.

It kicks off at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo at 19.45 GMT (20.45 CET).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the Liveblog.

The winner will be decided tonight after 90 minutes, extra time, or even a penalty shoot-out.

Whoever goes through can then face either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina in the final on Tuesday March 31.

Italy carry pressure of World Cup qualification

UDINE – OCTOBER 14: Gennaro Gattuso, Head Coach of Italy, interacts with Gianluigi Donnarumma of Italy after the team’s victory in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Israel at Stadio Friuli on October 14, 2025 in Udine. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“For the moment, this is the best team that we feel is available to start, and we also have faith in those who can come off the bench and change the game,” assistant manager Riccio told RAI Sport.

Northern Ireland beat Slovakia in qualifying, also losing narrowly 1-0 to Germany and Slovakia in that group.

“They have strengths, as they caused difficulties for almost all opponents. We must do well in the final third and force them to make problematic choices.

“It’s also important that we are alert with preventative marking, to stop their transitions and long balls. We feel ready and positive.”

The big fear is that the result will remain at 0-0 and drag on until the tension becomes unbearable on the Azzurri and in the crowd.

“It would be ideal to break the deadlock early, but we must be prepared even if we don’t do that, so we don’t get hysterical,” concluded Gattuso’s assistant.

There will be a minute’s silence before kick-off for former Italy, Bologna, Napoli and Atalanta striker Beppe Savoldi.