Untimely injury and intense atmosphere – Northern Ireland v Italy talking points

Northern Ireland’s hopes of reaching the World Cup finals for the first time in 40 years rest on Thursday night’s play-off semi-final against Italy in Bergamo.

Michael O’Neill’s men must pull off what would be a huge upset simply to progress to a final away to either Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Here the Press Association looks at the key talking points ahead of a big night in Italy.

Injuries strike again

O’Neill has known for some time he would be without star man Conor Bradley, but suffered another blow this week with confirmation that Sunderland defender Dan Ballard is also out – leaving Northern Ireland without two of their Premier League talents. The good news is that, since the last camp in November, Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Pierce Charles has returned from the shoulder injuries that kept him out of the entire Group A campaign. The 20-year-old could immediately reclaim the gloves from Bailey Peacock-Farrell.

Bergamo awaits

Italy could have chosen Milan’s San Siro or Rome’s Stadio Olimpico for this crunch qualifier, but instead have gone with Atalanta’s 24,900-capacity Stadio di Bergamo. Italy – who have no set home stadium – have played here five times before, beating Estonia 5-0 on their last visit in September. The venue can create an intense atmosphere despite its modest size, but for a Northern Ireland squad with many players from the Championship, it is certainly less intimidating. “For where I’m playing my club football at the minute, it’s a similar size to that,” Swansea’s Ethan Galbraith said. “It’ll be normal for me.”

Pressure on the hosts

All the expectation is on hosts Italy, with the pressure only increased by their failure to qualify for the last two World Cups. Missing a third is not an option. Northern Ireland will certainly hope Italy might get inside their own heads, although Gennaro Gattuso’s players insist it only adds to their motivation. “We have to all work together to bring Italy back to the top, so we’ll definitely arrive fully charged and focused to do very well,” Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma said. “The coach will already be fully charged. We hope to bring Italy back to where they deserve to be and I’m very confident.”

Goal-shy Northern Ireland

Goals have long been at a premium for Northern Ireland, but their record against Italy is something else. They have not scored in any of their last seven meetings – a run which dates back almost 65 years, with Derek Dougan and Billy McAdams scoring in a 3-2 loss in April 1961. Northern Ireland have won only one of their 11 matches against Italy, a 2-1 success in 1958, but had the chances to win their last one – a 0-0 draw in Belfast in November 2021.

O’Neill’s side-hustle

O’Neill sprung a surprise last month when he was named manager of Championship relegation-battlers Blackburn alongside his Northern Ireland role. The 56-year-old has consistently argued it has had no negative impact on his preparations for this game, a view backed by his players during camp this week. But if Northern Ireland fail to play up to their own recent standards, he is bound to face more scrutiny over his decision to take the job.