Italy vs Northern Ireland Preview: Team News, Lineups & Prediction

They have since missed out on back-to-back tournaments, and another failed attempt to secure qualification would be a disaster for the four-time world champions. Despite winning six of their eight qualifying fixtures in the current cycle, Gennaro Gattuso’s side must navigate another dreaded playoff path. Worryingly for the home fans, Italy failed to qualify for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, having bowed out in the playoffs on both occasions.

After losing to Sweden in 2017, the Azzurri fell to a shocking defeat to North Macedonia in the last qualifying campaign. With that in mind, they would be naive to underestimate Northern Ireland. Despite their underdog status, the Green & White Army will be heavily motivated to defy the odds in Bergamo, as they aim to return to the World Cup for the first time since 1986.

The visitors can take encouragement from the fact that Mexico, a co-host of the upcoming tournament, also staged the last World Cup they reached four decades ago. Match Preview Italy Despite their decent 75% win ratio in qualifying Group I, Italy finished runners-up to Norway, who enjoyed a flawless campaign. Indeed, the Azzurri lost both matches against the Scandinavian giants by a three-goal margin, including a dreadful 4-1 defeat on home soil last time out.

That remains the only blamish on Gattuso’s otherwise faultless record in charge of Italy (W5) and should serve as a warning for the Azzurri not to take anything for granted. On a more promising note, the Italians scored at least three goals in four of their five victories under the former Milan midfielder. Another emphatic performance could be in store here, given that Italy are unbeaten in their last eight meetings with Northern Ireland (W6, D2), registering an eye-catching seven clean sheets in that sequence.