Northern Ireland Football: Retegui praises Rodgers as Buffon warns Italy must focus in Bergamo
Northern Ireland football is in the spotlight as Italy striker Mateo Retegui praised Brendan Rodgers ahead of the World Cup play-off semi-final on Thursday (ET) in Bergamo, where Italy must win to keep finals hopes alive. Retegui, who plays under Rodgers at Al Qadsiah Saudi Arabia, said the manager is a “wonderful man” and stressed calm within the squad. Italy’s technical delegate Gianluigi Buffon emphasised that Northern Ireland are “the only focus” and deserve respect ahead of the tie.
Match build-up and key facts
The semi-final in Bergamo is a straight knockout play-off with the winner set to face either Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina for a place at the finals this summer (ET). The game will be played at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo, a venue chosen over larger stadia with a capacity of 25, 000. Italy arrive with pressure lingering from missing the last two World Cups after play-off defeats by Sweden and North Macedonia, and the side could become the first World Cup winners to miss out on three tournaments in a row if they fail to progress.
Retegui, 26, highlighted his relationship with Rodgers at club level, noting the improvement since the manager joined Al Qadsiah Saudi Arabia in December. “Ever since Brendan came to the club I don’t think we’ve lost a game, we’ve won 14 and drawn three, ” Retegui said, adding he has a “wonderful rapport” with the coach. Retegui described the Italy squad’s mindset as relaxed and focused: “We have spoken about staying calm, being free-minded and not overthinking things. There’s only one result, which is to win the game. “
Northern Ireland Football: Reactions from Retegui and Buffon
On the personal link between Rodgers and Northern Ireland, Retegui was unequivocal in praise. “He’s wished me the best of luck but we speak about other things, ” he said. “He’s a wonderful man, he’s a top coach, and he’s already proven that at all of the clubs he’s worked for in the past. I have a great rapport with Brendan Rodgers and when I go back we’ll have another chat. “
Gianluigi Buffon, serving as Italy’s technical delegate, framed Northern Ireland as the immediate challenge. “We shouldn’t have any doubt, our focus is only on Northern Ireland and the semi-final, ” Buffon said. “Northern Ireland are the first obstacle, and they are a team that deserves our respect. ” Buffon described the moment as important for Italy and credited Gennaro Gattuso with bringing renewed team spirit and the confidence to try to return to a World Cup place.
The week has seen tensions in wider play-off ties, with an incident involving Bosnia-Herzegovina manager Sergej Barbarez and Brondby boss Steve Cooper prompting an apology after comments about selection in another semi-final; Retegui emphasised there was no ill-feeling between him and Rodgers.
What happens next
Italy must deliver a win in Bergamo on Thursday (ET) to keep alive a route back to the finals this summer (ET); the successful side will then meet Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina for the final play-off place. The home pitch is the New Balance Arena, a stadium Buffon noted has been a positive venue for the team, recalling Gattuso’s first match there and a strong atmosphere that staff and players value. Expect Italy to concentrate fully on the single task ahead and for both squads to treat the tie as decisive.
Northern Ireland football remains the focal point for Italy in this short, high-stakes campaign, and the next developments will be decided on the pitch in Bergamo on Thursday (ET).
