Here the Press Association looks at the key talking points ahead of a big night in Italy. The venue can create an intense atmosphere despite its modest size, but for a Northern Ireland squad with many players from the Championship, it is certainly less intimidating. Northern Ireland will certainly hope Italy might get inside their own heads, although Gennaro Gattuso’s players insist it only adds to their motivation. Northern Ireland have won only one of their 11 matches against Italy, a 2-1 success in 1958, but had the chances to win their last one – a 0-0 draw in Belfast in November 2021. But if Northern Ireland fail to play up to their own recent standards, he is bound to face more scrutiny over his decision to take the job.

Source: The Herald March 25, 2026 07:43 UTC