Retegui: ‘Italy not feeling pressure for World Cup play-off’

Mateo Retegui insists ‘pressure is not the right word’ to describe what Italy feel in the World Cup play-off with Northern Ireland, and he flew in a week early to be prepared.

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The semi-final with Northern Ireland kicks off at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo on Thursday at 19.45 GMT (20.45 CET).

Whoever wins that will go on to face either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina away from home on March 31 for a spot at the World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the USA.

Italy and Retegui can’t wait to play

Retegui was the first to arrive at the Coverciano training camp last week to start work with coach Gennaro Gattuso after his experience with Al-Qadsiah.

“I arrived a week early, because as soon as I found out I had some free days in Arabia, I asked to come here to Coverciano and start training,” the former Atalanta striker told Sky Sport Italia.

“It seemed the most logical thing to do, to be here with the Nazionale and in Italy a bit early. I thank the coach and the fitness coaches who came to work with me early.”

The Azzurri are feeling strong pressure preparing for yet another play-off, having failed at this stage and missed the World Cup in both 2018 and 2022.

“I don’t know if pressure is the right word for what I feel right now,” insisted Retegui.

“As soon as the game with Norway ended, we all wanted to play this game, so there is the desire to win, to prove to everyone the team is ready. We want to prove that we are in good shape for this decisive challenge.”

Italy had reshuffled their tactics quite a few times between Gattuso and predecessor Luciano Spalletti, but seem to have settled on a 3-5-2 formation against underdogs Northern Ireland.

“We know it is a match that will be won by the team with the most determination,” added Retegui.

“It is going to be a battle, we must fight to the end and we are not alone, because the crowd in Bergamo really pushes you on.

“We’ve got to focus on doing what we prepared in training, we know there is no other alternative but to win, so we’ve got to take the game in hand.”