Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori believes Northern Ireland will rely solely on set-pieces to create an upset in their World Cup play-off tomorrow night.
The Azzurri come into the tie under huge pressure given they haven’t qualified for the global showpiece since 2014.
They host the Ulstermen in Bergamo with the winners moving forward to a clash with Wales or Bosnia & Herzegovina for the right to play in the United States, Canada and Mexico this summer.
The Azzurri are overwhelming favourites against Michael O’Neill’s men but that brings added pressure from a country desperate to return to the big time.
Arsenal full-back Calafiori said: “Pressure is there; we can’t avoid it. We know how important this game is. We try not to think about it. I’m happy to play this game and this is the message I want to send. The other side of the coin is that it might go badly, but we want to think positively, because this week can bring happiness and send us to the World Cup in America, that’s the only thing I think about.
“It’s all about how you look at this game. Evidently, it’s a responsibility. There are millions of people watching us, but I see it as an opportunity. To have such a beautiful chance. This is something we’ve been dreaming of since we were kids. I can’t wait to play this game.”
Calafiori is a key member of the Arsenal side that has received plenty of criticism for an over-reliance on corners and set-pieces this season but he feels the shoe will be on the other foot against Northern Ireland.
He added: “The game must be prepared just as a normal game. We know how important it is, but we must feel light. On set pieces, I feel that we must be very focused, especially defensively. We know they can be dangerous in these situations. We can be dangerous too, but in today’s football, set pieces make a difference, and details are crucial.
“As soon as they have the ball, they’ll try to play this way. The only way is to try to avoid these types of play as much as we can, stay focused on second balls, and stay focused from start to finish.”
It will be a hostile atmosphere for the Irish to contend with but O’Neill is aware of the prize at stake.
He told BBC NI: “If we look over history, if this team can achieve this, it’ll be as good as anything that any Northern Ireland team has done to go through two away games and get to a World Cup. It’s a huge challenge but we have that opportunity.
“We have the opportunity to write our names into the history of football here in Northern Ireland. And we intend to do everything possible to try and take it.”
O’Neill accepts his side are the underdogs but says belief is strong within the camp.
“We have to believe because if we don’t believe, no-one else will,” he added. “And that’s how we have to approach the game. I’ve always said don’t waste the opportunity…never waste.
“Every time you step on the pitch as an international player, you never know when it will be your last opportunity. So, make sure that you embrace it and you do everything possible. And that will be the message going forward.”
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Team news for Italy v Northern Ireland
Italy have a concern around Sandro Tonali after the Newcastle midfielder was forced to sit out Sunday’s Tyne-Wear derby defeat to Sunderland with a hip problem.
Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni has trained but will also be a game-time call. Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo is absent.
Northern Ireland will be missing centre-half Dan Ballard while full-backs Conor Bradley and Jamal Lewis are also unavailable. George Saville returns from suspension.
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