Italy Gears Up for Play-Off Semi-Final Against Northern Ireland
Manager Gattuso is set to address the media ahead of Italy's training camp in Coverciano. With just three days left, the countdown is on for the crucial clash against Northern Ireland in the European play-offs.
Manager Gattuso will speak at a press conference today ahead of the first training session.Three days togo. The countdown is on for Italy v Northern Ireland, a match in the semi-finals of the European play-offs for the 2026 World Cup finals: the winner goes through to the final against the winner of Wales v Bosnia. The match is scheduled for Thursday 26 April at the Stadio di Bergamo (New Balance Arena), with kick-off at 8.45 pm.Today at 2.00 pm, manager Gennaro Gattuso will hold a press conference ahead of the first training session, which begins at 5.00 pm.On Sunday evening, the 28 players called up gathered at Coverciano.Goalkeepers: Elia Caprile (Cagliari), Marco Carnesecchi (Atalanta), Gianluigi Donnarumma (Manchester City), Alex Meret (Napoli).Defenders: Alessandro Bastoni (Inter), Alessandro Buongiorno (Napoli), Riccardo Calafiori (Arsenal), Andrea Cambiaso (Juventus), Diego Coppola (Paris FC), Federico Dimarco (Inter), Federico Gatti (Juventus), Gianluca Mancini (Roma), Marco Palestra (Cagliari), Giorgio Scalvini (Atalanta), Leonardo Spinazzola (Napoli).Midfielders: Nicolò Barella (Inter), Bryan Cristante (Roma), Davide Frattesi (Inter), Manuel Locatelli (Juventus), Niccolò Pisilli (Roma), Sandro Tonali (Newcastle).Forwards: Federico Chiesa (Liverpool), Francesco Pio Esposito (Inter), Moise Kean (Fiorentina), Matteo Politano (Napoli), Giacomo Raspadori (Atalanta), Mateo Retegui (Al-Qadsiah), Gianluca Scamacca (Atalanta).The latter turned up despite his injury (a muscle-fascial injury to his right adductor); Bastoni is also under observation, whilst there is more confidence regarding Mancini. The scare over Tonali has passed.ITALY (3-5-2): Donnarumma; Mancini, Bastoni (Scalvini), Calafiori; Politano, Barella, Locatelli, Tonali, Dimarco; Kean, Retegui.Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
Team News and Training Camp Updates
As Italy prepares for the play-off semi-final against Northern Ireland, manager Gennaro Gattuso will speak at a press conference today prior to the team's first training session. The squad, consisting of 28 players, has gathered at Coverciano, with notable additions and concerns in different positions.
Player Updates and Injuries
Italy's goalkeeping department sees the likes of Donnarumma, Carnesecchi, Caprile, and Meret in the mix. Defensively, players like Bastoni, Mancini, and Calafiori are noteworthy, with some injury concerns. The midfield features talents like Barella, Tonali, and Locatelli, while the attacking line includes Kean, Chiesa, and Raspadori amongst others.
Projected Line-Up
Italy is likely to field a strong line-up featuring a 3-5-2 formation, with Donnarumma in goal and key players like Mancini, Barella, and Kean forming the core of the team. Despite injury worries, the team is optimistic about its chances in the upcoming match.
Key Match Details
The clash against Northern Ireland is set for Thursday 26 April at the Stadio di Bergamo, with kick-off at 8.45 pm. The winner of this match will progress to the final against the victor of Wales vs. Bosnia, in the quest for a spot at the 2026 World Cup finals.
