Calafiori: Italy can’t hide from pressure of past Play-off failure
Italy are feeling the heat ahead of the World Cup Play-off Semi-final against Northern Ireland but Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori wants his side to show their mental toughness in Bergamo.
The proud football nation and fourtime World Cup winners are in danger of missing out on a third straight showpiece.
Their failure to reach the 2018 tournament in Russia and Qatar 2022 both came as a result of Play-off defeats.
Northern Ireland manager Michael O’neill feels all the pressure will be on ex-rangers player Gennaro Gattuso’s side.
Gattuso, who was part of the World Cup-winning squad in 2006, has only had six matches in charge of his country but has won five.
Italy finished second in Group I and entered the Play-offs as the highest-ranked team, enjoying home advantage against Northern Ireland.
Calafiori knows his side are expected to roll over O’neill’s men and progress to the Finals this summer but he accepts talent won’t be enough to see them weather this storm.
“I always like to think positively because when you think positively about achieving things, you end up getting them,” said the 23-year-old.
“There’s pressure, there’s no point in trying to avoid it. We all know how important it is for us to qualify for this World Cup. We try not to think about it but the game is just two days away.
“You can’t predict how the match will end.
“The message we want to send is to all stick together and be positive. In such important matches, tactical and technical skill count only up to a certain point; unity and mentality are more important. Why should we make life difficult for ourselves?
“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. This is something we’ve been dreaming of since we were kids. I can’t wait to play this game.”
O’neill will hope his side can be compact and disciplined in defence as well as ruthless in taking opportunities.
Isaac Price’s finish in Germany was an example of how they can inflict damage from set-pieces.
“On set-pieces, I feel that we must be very focused, especially defensively,” added Calafiori who has 12 caps.