The World Cup playoff draw has delivered a make-or-break assignment for Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso, whose tenure will be defined by the outcome of the two-game sprint, starting with a fraught semi-final against Northern Ireland. Missing a third straight World Cup would be catastrophic.
Gattuso has publicly stated Northern Ireland is a team “we can beat,” but the psychological pressure on his squad is immense, especially given the Azzurri’s shock elimination in the 2022 playoffs. The Italian team needs a flawless performance at home on March 26 to avoid a national crisis.
Should they win, they face the strong probability of an intense away final against a buoyant Wales in Cardiff, a hostile environment. Gattuso’s tactical and psychological management of his players is now the central story of Path A.
Meanwhile, Wales hosts Bosnia & Herzegovina, enjoying the home comfort that Italy desperately lacks in the final round. The Republic of Ireland seeks a home final via a win in Prague. For Gattuso, however, the clock is ticking on a legacy-defining playoff.