The relief was almost palpable on the other side of the Alps during the draw. By inheriting Northern Ireland for these play-off semi-finals, Italy instantly projected itself towards the
” TRUE “ match, this potential final against Wales. A serious error of judgment according to the echoes reaching us from Belfast. There, we do not see ourselves as an expiatory victim, but as the ideal executioner of a traumatized nation. The atmosphere is not one of resignation, but of challenge: the Northern Irish have every intention of making this transalpine arrogance pay.
O’Neill presses Italian mental fragility
Michael O’Neill wasted no time in launching hostilities. The Northern Irish coach knows the context perfectly: an Italy haunted by two consecutive absences from the World Cup. “Italy will have immense pressure. We have everything to gain”he insisted, intelligently transferring all the weight of the match onto the opposing shoulders. For him, it is the opportunity to achieve “one of the greatest results in history”. It’s not bragging, but cold calculation: he knows that if the match lasts and the score remains goalless, the fear of failure will paralyze the Italian legs.
Gennaro Gattuso seems to have felt the wind. Far from the ambient euphoria, the Italian coach calmed everyone by reminding that his team remains on a memorable slap against Norway (1-4). “It’s a very physically strong team that never gives up,” he warned, emphasizing the battle of the second balls. Gattuso knows his squad is crumbly and that the British’s rough style is the perfect antidote to the Nazionale’s sometimes sterile possession game. He refuses to fall into the easy trap, aware that his team is hanging on to its survival.
The precedent of 2006 as a source of inspiration
If the British press plays the card of caution by describing the draw as
” nightmare “, the supporters, for their part, dug up the old files to give themselves courage. They remember that in 2006, at Windsor Park, their selection brought down Luis AragonĂ©s’ Spain (3-2) thanks to a hat-trick from David Healy. This Roja was however on the verge of dominating the world. The lesson is clear: Northern Ireland knows how to bring down giants with feet of clay.
This barrage will therefore first be played out in the heads. Italy has everything to lose and is dragging its liabilities like a ball and chain. Northern Ireland arrives liberated, carried by the idea that an exploit is within its reach against an adversary who doubts. O’Neill warned: his players will have to be “at full strength” in March, but if that’s the case, they will sell their skin dearly. Italians would do well not to look too far ahead, lest they trip on the first step.
