The big day is here, Italy-Northern Ireland: Gattuso’s choices

This is it. The day has come for Italy-Northern Ireland, a match valid for the World Cup play-off semifinal. Today, in Bergamo, the national team will play half a pass to crown the dream of returning to the final stage of a World Cup after two consecutive failures. Sold out at the New Balance Arena with fans called to dress in blue to push CT Gattuso’s boys even more.

That it is a key match in the history of our soccer Gattuso himself clearly pointed out: “I know it is the most important match of my career, I have the country on my shoulders. In these months everyone has told me ‘Coach, take us to the World Cup.’ The pressure is there, but I’ve been doing this job all my life. Did I sleep tonight? On sleeping I thank our doctors, some little pills help. Otherwise 4.30/5 I open my eyes and look like a bat,” his words on the eve.

Now the wait is over. It is time to take the field. The Azzurri CT has been insisting a lot on the concept of a group, trying to leverage the importance of helping each other, without getting suffocated by a pressure that is bound to be enormous. In fact, the 11 Azzurri who will take the field from the first minute have already been chosen, although some doubts still seem to be there, especially regarding Bastoni who is doing everything to be in the match.

In front of the confirmed Donnarumma, Mancini, Barella and Calafiori will act. On the flanks, space will be given to Politano (won the ballot with Palestra) and Dimarco. The midfield three will be Barella, Locatelli and Tonali. In the forwards, maximum trust in Kean and Retegui with Esposito ready to take over as the game progresses. Also chosen are the penalty takers, although Gattuso, as well as all Italians, hopes that the Northern Ireland practice will be solved in the 90′ of play.