Vieri reveals his ideal Italy strike partnership for Northern Ireland

Italy legend Christian Vieri agrees with Gennaro Gattuso that Moise Kean and Mateo Retegui form the ideal strike partnership for tonight’s World Cup play-off semifinal against Northern Ireland.

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Vieri ‘optimistic’ about Italy

The Azzurri host Northern Ireland in Bergamo in the World Cup play-off semifinal tonight.

Italy have not qualified for the World Cup since 2014, and will face either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina away if they progress to the Final. Will they secure a qualification this time?

“Nobody knows, but I’m optimistic,” Vieri told Corriere della Sera via Calciomercato.com.

“We are Italy, and we must make it. Finally, we play this play-off, and we must do it with energy and positivity.

“Northern Ireland is motivated; they haven’t played at a World Cup for 40 years, and it’s a team that runs a lot,” continued the ex-striker.

“But we play in Bergamo and the whole stadium will be blue. We must be charged and have a great desire, and honestly, the fans have it. Another World Cup without Italy would not be okay.”

Gattuso is expected to start Retegui and Kean in attack tonight.

“They have scored a lot, and they deserve trust,” Vieri agreed.

“I’d see Pio Esposito better coming on during the game. He’s our future, but let’s not put pressure on him. There are very few players this good at 20,” the ex-Azzurri star agreed.

“He moved naturally from Spezia to playing at San Siro, where the whole world watches you. In Italy, there’s too much pressure. If Yamal has a bad game in Spain, nobody says anything. Here, all hell breaks loose.”