Alessandro Nesta warns Italy and stands with Alessandro Bastoni

Alessandro Nesta commented on Italy’s victory over Northern Ireland in the World Cup 2026 playoff semifinal to the microphones of Sky Sports. “I was also worried in the first half,” he admitted, “If the values come out, there is no match with any of the national teams involved in the playoff. The problem, however, is the pressure that Italy’s jersey puts on you, which is higher than that of, for example, Bosnia or Northern Ireland.”

“The management of the first half was the result of the tension that the Azzurri had,” added the 2006 World Champion. We have to be aware that it is still tough, in fact it will be even tougher in Bosnia. A very hot environment awaits us, with an opponent that has higher values than Ireland.”

“These are games of nerves – explained the former Monza coach -, the woodworm that we are not going to the World Cup has now entered our brain. Qualifying does not represent a technical feat, because we are stronger than the others, but it is all about nerves. In 2006, winning the World Cup helped Italian soccer after Calciopoli, today Italian soccer needs the national team more than ever.”

He then defended Alessandro Bastoni: “As a central player, he exploits his offensive characteristics less, but I have to congratulate him because they broke his balls a lot for the simulation and yesterday, although he was not at his best, he came back doing a great game. I always passed as a fair player, but I simulated so many times too. I will never lecture Bastoni, for me he’s super.”

He concluded on coach Gennaro Gattuso: “I know Rino very well. Gattuso feels bad about it, he feels responsible for this situation and he will do everything for Italy to go to the World Cup. In the first half I saw him tense yesterday, he has a sense of responsibility that is really too great.”