Gattuso personally ‘chose’ Bergamo over San Siro for Italy World Cup play-off vs. Northern Ireland

Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso thanks FIGC President Gabriele Gravina and Delegation Chief Gigi Buffon for allowing him to choose the venue for the World Cup semi-final play-off against Northern Ireland: ‘We hope to create a real cauldron-like atmosphere.’

Italy will host Northern Ireland in Bergamo in the World Cup play-off semi-final on Thursday, March 26.

Why Italy vs. Northern Ireland played in Bergamo, not San Siro

The match will be played at Atalanta’s New Balance Arena, a 25,000-seat stadium that already hosted Gattuso’s first game as Italy’s head coach against Estonia this past September.

“I chose the stadium. I want to thank the President and Buffon for letting me decide,” Gattuso said at a press conference attended by Football Italia on Monday.

“I believe that when you go to a 60,000-seat stadium like San Siro, there are Inter and Milan fans, and they might start booing after a few wrong passes. Playing in a smaller stadium will likely give us a better atmosphere.

“They did so in my first game as Italy’s coach, despite finishing the first half with a 0-0 draw. We hope to create a real cauldron-like atmosphere and that we haven’t messed things up.

“Thursday’s game is the only target. All the rest is the past, and I think we have a great chance.”

Click here to read the full Gattuso press conference.