Italy choose Bergamo for crucial Northern Ireland World Cup play-off
Italy have chosen the 24,900-capacity New Balance Arena in Bergamo to host Thursday’s crucial World Cup play-off semi-final against Northern Ireland.
The four-time world champions traditionally rotate their international fixtures around the country.
However, high-stakes encounters usually take place in giant 70,000-seater arenas like the San Siro in Milan or Rome’s Stadio Olimpico.
Opting for a significantly smaller venue for their most important fixture in four years represents a notable shift in strategy for the hosts.
An intimate and intimidating atmosphere
The Bergamo venue, home to Serie A side Atalanta, recently completed a comprehensive five-year renovation project.
Despite its modest size, the stadium is highly regarded for generating an intense and hostile environment for visiting teams.
“Bergamo and Atalanta are a good example for European football. It’s a nice venue and it’s an important venue for Italian football.”
That is the verdict of Italian football journalist Daniele Verri, who believes the tight confines could uniquely benefit the home side.
“It’s not the San Siro or the Stadio Olimpico, but it can cook. It’s a small stadium with a nice atmosphere. If the game gets tight then people will make their voices heard.”
A desperate bid to end World Cup heartbreak
The Azzurri have endured a dismal record on the global stage since lifting the iconic trophy back in 2006.
They suffered humiliating group-stage exits in 2010 and 2014, before failing to qualify entirely for the previous two editions of the tournament.
Gennaro Gattuso’s men are now under immense pressure to avoid becoming the first former winners to miss three consecutive World Cups.
This disastrous global form directly contrasts with their recent continental success, having impressively won the delayed Euro 2020 competition.
Superstition shaping the venue choice?
History suggests the national team has repeatedly buckled under the immense pressure of larger home stadiums during recent qualification failures.
Their heartbreaking 2018 play-off defeat by Sweden happened at the San Siro, which was also the site of a costly recent loss to Norway.
Furthermore, North Macedonia famously eliminated them from the 2022 campaign in front of 35,000 expectant fans in Palermo.
In contrast, Gattuso secured a dominant 5-0 victory over Estonia in Bergamo during his first game in charge of the national team.
Superstition and a desire for a fresh psychological slate may therefore be playing a significant role in bringing the European heavyweights back to the Lombardy region.
