Northern Ireland v Italy (15/11/2021)

WORLD CUP QATAR 2022 QUALIFIER NORTHERN IRELAND V ITALY

NATIONAL FOOTBALL STADIUM AT WINDSOR PARK OFFICIAL MATCH DAY PROGRAMME | 15/11/2021 | £4

02. TEAMS 03.

PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

04. IAN BARACLOUGH 07. PATRICK NELSON 10. NORTHERN IRELAND SQUAD 12. CRAIG CATHCART 18. DID YOU KNOW? 27. THE OPPONENTS 34. CONOR WASHINGTON 41. INTERNATIONAL RECORD

IRISH FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION

PRESIDENT: CONRAD K IRKWOOD CHIEF EXECUTIVE: PAT RICK NELSON ADVERTISING: IRISH FOOT BALL ASSOCI AT ION PICTURES: PRESS EYE

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NORTHERN IRELAND GREEN & WHITE

ITALY BLUE & WHI TE

MANAGER I. BARACLOUGH

MANAGER R. MANCINI

G. DONNARUMMA (PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN) A. CRAGNO (CAGLIARI)

C. HAZARD (CELTIC) B. PEACOCK-FARRELL (SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY)*

A. MERET (NAPOLI) S. SIRIGU (GENOA) F. ACERBI (LAZIO)

L. SOUTHWOOD (READING) D. BALLARD (MILLWALL)** C. BRADLEY (LIVERPOOL) C. BROWN (CARDIFF CITY) C. CATHCART (WATFORD) J. EVANS (LEICESTER CITY) T. FLANAGAN (SUNDERLAND) S. FERGUSON (ROTHERHAM UNITED) J. LEWIS (NEWCASTLE UNITED) S. DALLAS (LEEDS UNITED) S. DAVIS (RANGERS) (C) C. EVANS (SUNDERLAND) E. GALBRAITH (DONCASTER ROVERS)*** J. JONES (WIGAN ATHLETIC) A. McCANN (PRESTON NORTH END) N. McGINN (ABERDEEN) P. McNAIR (MIDDLESBROUGH) G. SAVILLE (MILLWALL) J. THOMPSON (STOKE CITY) J. MAGENNIS (HULL CITY) D. TAYLOR (NOT TINGHAM FOREST) C. WASHINGTON (CHARLTON ATHLETIC) G. WHYTE (OXFORD UNITED)****

L. BONUCCI (JUVENTUS) G. DI LORENZO (NAPOLI) E. PALMIERI (LYON) G. FERRARI (SASSUOLO) G. MANCINI (ROMA) D. ZAPPACOSTA (ATALANTA) N. BARELLA (INTER MILAN) D. CATALDI (LAZIO) M. LOCATELLI (JUVENTUS) M. PESSINA (ATALANTA) T. POBEGA (TORINO) S. TONALI (AC MILAN) A. BELOTTI (TORINO) D. BERARDI (SASSUOLO) F. BERNARDESCHI (JUVENTUS) B. CRISTANTE (ROMA) JORGINHO (CHELSEA)

F. CHIESA (JUVENTUS) L. INSIGNE (NAPOLI)

G. RASPADORI (SASSUOLO) G. SCAMACCA (SASSUOLO)

* ON LOAN FROM BURNLEY ** ON LOAN FROM ARSENAL *** ON LOAN FROM MANCHESTER UNI TED **** ON LOAN FROM CARDIFF CI T Y

MATCH DAY OFFICIALS REFEREE: ISTVAN KOVACS (ROMANIA)

ASSISTANT REFEREE 1: MIHAI OVIDIU ARTENE (ROMANIA) ASSISTANT REFEREE 2: VASILE FLORIN MARINESCU (ROMANIA) 4TH OFFICIAL: HORAT IU MIRCEA FESNIC (ROMANIA) VIDEO ASSISTANT REFEREE: BAST IAN DANKERT (GERMANY) ASSISTANT VAR: MICKE PICKEL (GERMANY) REFEREE OBSERVER: ROBERT SEDLACEK (AUSTRIA)

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NIR V ITA

PRESIDENT’S WELCOME Welcome to the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park and welcome to the European champions

The Italian national football team (Nazionale di calcio dell’Italia) will have captured everyone’s imagination at the Euros. Teams get better from the experience of playing the best opposition. It will be great to watch our team test themselves against such a strong side; they are ranked fourth in the world. I think we have the best singing supporters to be heard anywhere. That said the Italian national anthem is one of the most interesting in the world and bursting with historical references. In one section the anthem describes Italy as a woman symbolically covering her head with the helmet of Scipio. He is revered as their greatest general for defeating Hannibal and never losing a single battle. Rousing as that anthem is, we all dare to dream of the men in green and white winning the battle tonight . There is so much at stake. Italy need a win – nothing less will do for a team of their status. We need to consolidate third place in the group to help with future seeding. Our rivals for third place, Bulgaria, travel to play Switzerland in Lucerne. Neither Switzerland nor Italy have lost a game in Group C. In short it is all to play for and there are no dead rubbers. Beating Lithuania was vital . In the first 45 minutes Bara’s men played arguably their best half during his tenure, with so much energ y and threat . Dale Taylor made his debut to his delight and that of the crowd. He only had a quarter of an hour to show what he can do but he made an immediate impression. Clean sheets are gold dust at this level and the inf luence of Jonny Evans was a huge benefit .

Looking back through time for inspiration, Northern Ireland drew 2-2 in a friendly with Italy on 4 December 1957 in front of 57,000 fans. Wilbur Cush scored both that day. Alcide Ghiggia and Miguel Montori scored for the visitors. Eddie Montgomery of Edenderry Print , who produced our programmes for many years, has fond memories of being a ball boy at that game. He still treasures the book of autographs, which has most of both teams, and I was lucky enough to get a look at it . Northern Ireland’s team included Harry Gregg, Bertie Peacock, both Blanchf lowers, Billy Bingham and Jimmy McIlroy. And here’s an even bigger inspiration. Italy actually returned to Belfast again the following month for a decisive World Cup qualifier which Northern Ireland won 2-1. And that victory ensured we qualified for the 1958 World Cup finals out of a group featuring the Azzurri and Portugal . Our scorers that day, in front of 50,000 spectators, were McIlroy and Cush. I am sure you will join me in willing Ian Baraclough’s team on to produce their very best against Roberto Mancini’s Azzurri. The world Italian is often used as an adjective to denote quality in things like leather, design and suits. Here’s hoping tomorrow they preface ‘resolve’ with Northern Irish! CONRAD KIRKWOOD PRESIDENT IRISH FOOTBALL ASSOCIAT ION

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It was great to get another win under our belts against Lithuania after playing some high energy and expansive football – and we will be aiming to repeat the feat in our final FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifier tonight.

Standing between us and a third victory in European Qualifying Group C are, of course, the reigning European champions. Italy will be going all out for victory against us - to top the group and secure automatic qualification to the World Cup finals next year. Their draw with Switzerland in Rome on Friday has left both nations on 15 points from seven qualifiers (four wins and three draws apiece) , although Roberto Mancini’s team have the better goal difference. Italy are overwhelming favourites to win tonight’s match, which is no surprise given their impressive Euro triumph in the summer and their record of losing just once in their last 40 matches. However, Northern Ireland taking another big scalp is long overdue and I can assure you that my players will be doing their utmost to do just that against the team ranked fourth in the world. Although there’s a lot at stake for the Italians, we also need a win to secure third place in the group ahead of Bulgaria and boost our ranking. I thought our first half performance against the Lithuanians on Friday was commanding. It was the best football we have produced during the current qualification campaign. We had good energ y, plenty of forward thrust , moved the ball quickly and created chances from wide areas.

I thought the two disallowed goals were very harsh on us and our play in the first half in particular merited more goals. Every player who pulls on the green shirt tonight will have to play at their optimum level if we are to pull off what many consider would be a shock result . And the players are well aware of that . I believe wholeheartedly in the players and their ability, and I feel they should have no fear going in to this match. It’s a fantastic opportunity for them to test themselves against some of the best players on the planet . Italy will be without Ciro Immobile and Georgio Chiellini, two world class operators. Usually that would make any manager happy, however Italy’s squad has incredible depth to it . There’s a full house for the game tonight and I am sure you, the Green and White Army, will create an incredible atmosphere once again. I have said many times before that the players really appreciate the backing of the Northern Ireland fans home and away, but especially at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park, so please bring the noise. We know we will be really up against it but being the (massive) underdog is something we relish. IAN BARACLOUGH NORTHERN IRELAND MANAGER

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GOOD EVENING Welcome to the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park for our final senior men’s international fixture of the year and of the FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifying campaign.

Whilst we can no longer qualify for the finals in Qatar next year, there is still a huge amount to play for in Belfast this evening in front of what is expected to be a sellout crowd. We welcome our opponents Italy, the recently crowned European champions, and given their 1-1 draw on Friday against Switzerland the automatic qualification slot for the finals is still to be decided. Depending on the results here and in the Switzerland v Bulgaria game in Lucerne, either Italy or Switzerland will have their World Cup passes stamped tonight with the other team falling into the play-offs. And let’s not forget that we need a better result than Bulgaria this evening to maintain our own third place finish in the group. If you were here for the Lithuania match on Friday you would have enjoyed a solid performance and a first home competitive win in more than two years. The football was as good as we have seen in a while, and only the referee knows why he chalked off the second and third potential goals in a fast-paced first half. The unlucky Josh Magennis was fairly unobtrusive to our (possibly slightly biased!) eyes as Ali McCann’s shot f lashed past the Lithuanian goalkeeper and it was Josh again who was adjudged to have made too much contact with a defender before he headed the ball into

the net just before half-time. But , as Under-21s manager John Schofield told me just after the final whistle, a ‘W’ is a ‘W’ in the record books and no one can take that away. So as we close this campaign, let’s hope for another good performance and result against the European champions. Whilst we can’t be at the finals next year, we can still inf luence who will be. I’m not sure there are many sides in Europe who would want to come to a packed National Football Stadium at Windsor Park when they need a result and it will certainly be a hard fought contest tonight . When the final whistle is blown later on our thoughts will turn to the senior women’s national team, who play away and home against North Macedonia later this month in their quest to reach the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 tournament and we wish them good luck in both matches. And make a note in your diaries of 16 December, which is the date we will learn our UEFA Nations League Group C opponents for next year. Enjoy the game tonight .

PATRICK NELSON CHIEF EXECUT IVE IRISH FOOTBALL ASSOCIAT ION

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POS: CLUB: GOALKEEPER READING LUKE SOUTHWOOD

DANIEL BALLARD

POS: CLUB:

POS: CLUB:

POS: CLUB:

GOALKEEPER CELT IC

GOALKEEPER SHEFF IELD WEDNESDAY

DEFENDER MILLWALL

AGE

CAPS GOALS

AGE

CAPS GOALS

AGE

CAPS GOALS

AGE

CAPS GOALS

23

0

0

23

3

0

25

28

0

22

12

1

ON LOAN FROM BURNLEY

ON LOAN FROM ARSENAL

POS: CLUB: DEFENDER L IVERPOOL CONOR BRADLEY

JONNY EVANS

CIARON BROWN

CRAIG CATHCART

POS: CLUB:

POS: CLUB:

POS: CLUB:

DEFENDER LECIESTER CI T Y

DEFENDER CARDIFF CI T Y

DEFENDER WAT FORD

AGE

CAPS GOALS

AGE

CAPS GOALS

AGE

CAPS GOALS

AGE

CAPS GOALS

33

92

4

18

5

0

23

7

0

32

66

2

TOM FLANAGAN

SHANE FERGUSON

JAMAL LEWIS

STUART DALLAS

POS: CLUB:

POS: CLUB:

POS: CLUB:

POS: CLUB:

DEFENDER SUNDERL AND

DEFENDER ROTHERHAM UNI TED

DEFENDER NEWCAST LE UNI TED

MIDF IELDER LEEDS UNI TED

AGE

CAPS GOALS

AGE

CAPS GOALS

AGE

CAPS GOALS

AGE

CAPS GOALS

30

59

3

30

11

0

30

53

2

23

25

0

10

NIR V ITA

STEVEN DAVIS

ETHAN GALBRAITH

JORDAN JONES

CORRY EVANS

POS: CLUB:

POS: CLUB:

POS: CLUB:

POS: CLUB:

MIDF IELDER RANGERS

MIDF IELDER DONCASTER ROVERS

MIDF IELDER WIGAN ATHLE T IC

MIDF IELDER SUNDERL AND

AGE

CAPS GOALS

AGE

CAPS GOALS

AGE

CAPS GOALS

AGE

CAPS GOALS

20

2

0

31

67

2

36

131

12

27

18

1

ON LOAN FROM MANCHESTER UNI TED

AL I McCANN

NIALL McGINN

PADDY McNAIR

GEORGE SAVILLE

POS: CLUB:

POS: CLUB:

POS: CLUB:

POS: CLUB:

MIDF IELDER PRESTON NORTH END

MIDF IELDER ABERDEEN

MIDF IELDER MIDDLESBROUGH

MIDF IELDER MILLWALL

AGE

CAPS GOALS

AGE

CAPS GOALS

AGE

CAPS GOALS

AGE

CAPS GOALS

21

9

1

34

68

6

26

52

5

28

34

0

POS: CLUB: MIDF IELDER STOKE CI T Y JORDAN THOMPSON

POS: CLUB: FORWARD HULL CI T Y JOSH MAGENNIS

DALE TAYLOR

POS: CLUB: FORWARD CHARLTON ATH. CONOR WASHINGTON

GAVIN WHY TE

POS: CLUB:

POS: CLUB:

FORWARD NOT T INGHAM FOR

FORWARD OXFORD UNI TED

AGE

CAPS GOALS

AGE

CAPS GOALS

AGE

CAPS GOALS

AGE

CAPS GOALS

AGE

CAPS GOALS

24

20

0

31

64

8

17

1

0

29

34

6

25

20

3

ON LOAN FROM CARDIFF CI T Y

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CRAIG CATHCART RISING TO THE OCCASION

SQUAD NO: 20 \ NI APP: 66 CLUBS: MANCHESTER UNI TED (0) ROYAL ANTWERP (LOAN 13)PLYMOUTH ARGYLE (LOAN 31) WATFORD (LOAN 12) BLACKPOOL (112) WATFORD (181)

JORDAN THOMPSON THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT

Jordan Thompson is determined to end the World Cup qualifying campaign on a high after any lingering hopes of making it to Qatar were dashed last month. Craig Cathcart has enjoyed a number of highs under the Windsor Park lights but he’s hoping to add a major scalp to his international CV this evening.

PLACE OF BIRTH: BELFAST HEIGHT: 188CM WEIGHT: 73KG

DATE OF BIRTH: 06-02-1989

POSITION: DEFENDER

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RISING TO THE OCCASION

Italy’s 1-1 draw with Switzerland in Rome on Friday night leaves the two top seeds locked on 15 points at the top of European Qualifying Group C. And that means Roberto Mancini’s men, who have lost just one of their last 40 outings, need to win to be certain of topping the group and qualifying automatically for Qatar. “To be honest , I don’t think it matters that much because Italy have the type of players who go into every game wanting to win,” said Cathcart . “Yes, they need a result , but they always want to put on a performance, so I don’t think their approach will change that much.” Since beating Northern Ireland 2-0 in the group opener in Parma in March, Italy have gone on to be crowned European champions. “I was very impressed by Italy at the Euros,” said Cathcart . “And since we played them in March I think they’ve actually improved. “The intensity they played with was impressive. They suffocated a lot of teams with the way they kept the ball and pressed the game. “Looking back at our game with them, we struggled a little bit in the first half and they went 2-0 up, but we had two or three chances in the second half and could have come away with something. “It wasn’t to be in the end, but I think we can take confidence from the way we played against them in the second half in Parma.”

The Watford defender was part of a Northern Ireland team that shocked Fabio Capello’s Russia with a 1-0 win in a memorable World Cup qualifier eight years ago. He also played in a 3-1 win over Greece in 2015, a famous result that secured former boss Michael O’Neill and his players a place at the Euro finals in France the following summer. But it remains the case that the last time Northern Ireland delivered a knockout blow to one of Europe’s big hitters was a 3-2 win over Spain in 2006. Germany and the Netherlands have both visited the National Stadium at Windsor Park in recent times and left with wins or a point in their back pocket . The Dutch survived a missed Steven Davis penalty to salvage a scoreless draw in a Euro 2020 qualifier, while Die Mannschaft eked out 3-1 and 2-0 wins in both previous campaigns. “Those are the ones that stick in your mind,” said Cathcart ahead of tonight’s high profile date with the Azzurri, who beat England on penalties in the Euro final in July. “In the second Germany match we could have gone in at half-time in the lead and we were also unfortunate in the Holland match. It finished 0-0 and we missed a penalty. “Italy are one of the top nations so it’s going to be really tough, but Windsor Park has seen some massive results in the past and we want to try and take that big scalp. “The top nations have found it difficult here in the past and these are the games you want to play in, against the best nations in front of our own supporters. We’re playing the European champions so it’s going to be a big occasion for the players and everyone at the game.”

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DID YOU KNOW? Paddy McNair was aged 19 years and 335 days when he was given his senior international debut by former manager Michael O’Neill in a 1-0 friendly defeat to Scotland at Hampden Park on 25 March 2015. At the time of his first Northern Ireland appearance McNair had played 14 matches for Manchester United’s first team. Prior to Friday night McNair had started 40 of his 51 games for Northern Ireland and had been substituted in 12 of them. He has only been an unused substitute on nine occasions, the last being against Luxembourg in September 2019. Paddy’s full record as a senior international is: P W D L W% D% L% 51 18 12 21 35% 24% 41%

Midfielder/defender Paddy McNair reached the 50-cap milestone for Northern Ireland in the World Cup qualifier against Switzerland last month – and proudly donned the captain’s armband in Geneva. Here Marshall Gillespie looks back at Paddy’s Northern Ireland career to date.

McNair has scored five goals for Northern Ireland, four of which have been away from home. His only one at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park came in the 5-1 defeat to Norway in September 2020, Ian Baraclough’s first game as manager.

When the midfielder/ defender found the net for the first time in a full international

in June 2019 he became the first

Middlesbrough player to score for Northern Ireland in 39 years, the previous one being winger Terry Cochrane against England at Wembley in May 1980.

Paddy had played 3616 minutes in his 51 outings for his country prior to the Lithuania game on Friday night . He had played the most minutes in friendly internationals, 1299, followed closely by 1095 in Euro qualifying matches. The UEFA Nations League has seen him clock up 635 minutes and the remaining 587 were in World Cup qualifying games.

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NIR V ITA

During his six years playing senior international football McNair has been cautioned on just five occasions. His first yellow card came in a friendly encounter with Slovakia in June 2016 just prior to the Euro 2016 finals in France. He was also booked in a 2-0 defeat to Germany in September 2019 and this year picked up three yellows inside four matches in contests versus Bulgaria, Ukraine and Lithuania.

As already stated McNair won his first full international cap while on the books of Manchester United and in total made 11 outings for his country during his spell at Old Trafford. During his two years at Sunderland he clocked up another nine appearances for Northern Ireland and since his move to Middlesbrough he has played a further 31 international matches.

Paddy also won honours at youth level for Northern Ireland, representing the Under 21s twice in 2014 - against Serbia and tonight’s opponents Italy. He also turned out five times for the Under-19 side, once for the U17s and played seven matches for the Northern Ireland Under-16 Schoolboys team which included current Irish League players Jamie Glackin (Coleraine) and goalkeeper Chris Johns (Linfield) . Thirty-four of McNair’s 51 Northern Ireland caps have been in competitive matches. He has appeared in 15 Euro qualifying and finals games and 10 World Cup qualifiers (prior to the Lithuania match on Friday) , while nine caps have come in the Nations League. His remaining 17 appearances have all been in international friendlies.

In seven years of playing football in England, McNair has played 183 matches and scored 17 goals for his three professional clubs. At Manchester United he made just 27 appearances - all under Louis van Gaal - without scoring before being transferred to Sunderland for a fee of £5.5 million. A serious injury meant restricted game time at the Stadium of Light and he chalked up just 28 games, scoring seven goals in two seasons, before signing for his current employers Middlesbrough in June 2018. He has scored 10 goals in 128 outings for Boro.

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SCOUTING REPORT Andy Greeves takes a closer look at European champions Italy ahead of this evening’s FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifier. LOWDOWN Italy have enjoyed a memorable 2021 so far. In the summer they triumphed in the delayed UEFA Euro 2020 to become European champions for the second time in their history. The Azzurri (Blues) also continued their world record 37-game unbeaten run during the year. It finally came to an end when Roberto Mancini’s team lost 2-1 to Spain in the UEFA Nations League semi-final in Milan last month. And going in to this international window they were assured of a play-off at the very least for a place at the World Cup finals in Qatar next year. They are battling it out with Switzerland to see who finishes in top spot in European Qualifying Italy’s team selection and formation was almost as consistent as their form throughout UEFA Euro 2020. The Azzurri regularly lined up in a 4-3-3 formation, which observers will have noted converted into more of a 3-2-4-1 shape during the game. This was because the left-sided full back – be it Leonardo Spinazzola or Emerson Palmieri – typically played as a left-sided winger/wing back supporting Italy’s attacks. The right back, who was Giovanni Di Lorenzo for the majority of the tournament , remained deeper and formed a back three when the left back advanced. Group C. TACTICS

Jorginho, who played in every UEFA Euro 2020 match, took up a deep-lying position in midfield and was often accompanied in that area by a fellow midfielder such as Marco Verratti. This enabled the ‘third’ midfielder, often Nicolo Barella, to play in what effectively became a four-man attacking line behind an out-and- Since the appointment of Roberto Mancini as head coach (in 2018) Italy have developed into one of the best possession-based sides in world football . With a technically gifted squad full of players who are comfortable both with the ball at their feet and in picking a pass, only Spain (72.8%) , Germany (62.2%) and the Netherlands (54.8%) boasted more possession than Italy (54.6%) at UEFA Euro 2020. 42% of Italy’s attacks were built down their left side during UEFA Euro 2020 compared with 27% of attacks down the middle and 32% down the right . While opponents would have been prepared for the majority of attacks to come down Italy’s left, stopping forward moves in that area of the field was easier said than done. The fluidity of the Azzurri’s tactical system gave Italy’s midfielders time to drop deep and collect the ball while other players, including the left back, positioned themselves in more advanced positions and were able to create an overload on their opponents’ right flank. Four Italians were named in the UEFA Euro 2020 team of the tournament . Gianluigi Donnarumma got the nod between the sticks and it is hard to find a goalkeeper in better form in world football right now than the Azzurri number one. Leonardo Bonucci was a fine pick at centre half, given his defensive excellence coupled with his ability on the ball . Spinazzola still took his place in the team despite his injury in the quarter-final which ended his tournament prematurely. And Federico Chiesa was also included. Chiesa scored twice during the tournament and his ability to run at opponents and drift into pockets of space caught the eye just as much as his goalscoring. out striker. STRENGTHS

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LA DOLCE VITA (THE SWEET LIFE) Italy’s success at the delayed UEFA Euro 2020 capped a remarkable recent turnaround in fortunes for the Azzurri, writes Andy Greeves. As referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz blew the final whistle at the San Siro on 13 November 2017, Italy’s players dropped to their knees. The Azzurri’s goalless draw against Sweden, following a 1-0 loss in Solna three days earlier, meant they missed out on qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup by virtue of a 1-0 aggregate play-off defeat . It was the first time the four- time world champions had been absent from the tournament since 1958. Unsurprisingly Gianpiero Ventura was dismissed from his role as head coach just two days later, despite boasting a 56.25% win rate during his time as Azzurri boss, which compares favourably to such managerial legends as Marcello Lippi, Giovanni Trapattoni and Antonio Conte. Statistics can be deceiving and many observers point to high profile gaffes made by Ventura during his reign, such as the decision to select a 4-2-4 formation against ultra-footballing side Spain in September 2017 that resulted in a 3-0 defeat for Italy. That same year the Azzurri dropped as low as 17th in the FIFA World Rankings having been fourth just four years earlier. The 2010-2019 period was a tumultuous decade for Italy as a whole. While they finished runners- up at UEFA Euro 2012, failure to make it to the 2018 FIFA World Cup tournament , coupled with humiliating group stage exits at the 2010 and 2014 finals made it a 10-year period to largely forget by Italy’s high standards. A particular mystery of the Ventura era was why a talented group of players in great form with their club teams couldn’t reproduce such high level performances for their country.

Roberto Mancini made an indifferent start as Italy boss, having taken over from caretaker Luigi Di Biagio in May 2018. One win in six, with the solitary victory coming in a friendly against Saudi Arabia, was hardly inspiring stuff. But a tactical evolution that saw the former Manchester City manager adopt a 4-3-3 formation – doing away with Ventura’s over-selection of holding midfielders and cautious full-backs – would pay dividends. A 1-1 draw with Ukraine in October 2018 was to be the start of a world record 37-game unbeaten run which finally came to an end when Roberto Mancini’s team lost 2-1 to Spain in the UEFA Nations League semi-final in Milan last month. During this period the Azzurri made it to the 2021 UEFA Nations League Finals and, most significantly, won the delayed UEFA Euro 2020 tournament . Their 3-0 victory over Turkey in their opening UEFA Euro 2020 match rubber-stamped many people’s opinions that Italy were tournament favourites - thanks to their domination of possession and creation of chances. Italy’s 3-0 win over Switzerland and 1-0 triumph over Wales saw them top Group A seemingly without having broken sweat . They had a tough test against plucky Austria but came through 2-1 after extra-time in the round of 16 while they beat the hotly-fancied Belgium and Spain to reach the final . Although Luke Shaw gave England a second minute lead in that Wembley Stadium showpiece on 11 July this year, the more the match went on, the more Italy looked the likelier of the two teams to go on and lift the trophy. A second half strike from Leonardo Bonucci forced extra time and the Azzurri ultimately came through to win 3-2 on penalties. If, as expected, Italy qualify for their 19th FIFA World Cup, either this evening or in March next year, it will take a brave person to bet against the European champions going on to be world champions for a fifth time in Qatar next winter.

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A LAND OF TROPHIES AND DEFENDERS!

I TAL IAN DEFENSIVE STALWART GEORGIO CHIELL INI AND NORTHERN IREL AND MIDF IELD MAESTRO STEVEN DAVIS BAT T LE FOR POSSESSION IN PESCARA A DECADE AGO - DURING A EURO 2012 QUAL IF IER WHICH I TALY WON 3-0.

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WORDS: WILLIAM CAMPBELL

The twin defensive pillars of Georgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci were first choices in everyone’s team of the finals and provided an object lesson for young defenders. It was when they congratulated each other and celebrated when they blunted another attack that their determination and joy in preventing a goal was clear for all to see. Football is, of course, a game won by goals, but if you can stop your opponents from scoring you have travelled halfway to success. Billy Bingham based his successful teams of the 1980s on a resolute defence marshalled most of the time by the seemingly invincible Pat Jennings. Stop them from scoring and we always have a chance to nick one at the other end. George Graham’s Arsenal were notorious for the ‘1-0 to the Arsenal’ mantra which remained in place when Arsene Wenger brought the attacking flair of Bergkamp, Anelka and Henry to bear at the other end, but the basis of the team’s success was Tony Adams and co with their ‘ They Shall Not Pass’ attitude. Both Chiellini and Bonucci played in Belfast the last time the Italians came to town back in October 2010, blunting our David Healy-led attack in a scoreless draw. Perhaps tonight some of their magic can rub off on our younger defenders. Another Northern Ireland clean sheet would certainly be celebrated, while a goal at the other end is long overdue as we have not tasted victory over our visitors since 1958! So welcome to the European champions (with or without their trophy) . Let’s hope they will leave the stadium knowing they have been in a game!

There is an iconic photograph of Bobby Moore leading the England team on to Windsor Park whilst he is holding the Jules Rimet Trophy.

The Northern Ireland team (including George Best) have formed a guard of honour to applaud England on to the pitch. The date was October 1966 and England (in case you have not heard) had won the World Cup in July that year. Interestingly it was the exact same 11 players who lifted the trophy at Wembley a few months earlier who played in Belfast , and they trotted out 2-0 victors in the game in which Linfield’s Billy Ferguson was sent off. Thirty-three years later in August 1999 the ‘new’ FIFA World Cup trophy arrived in Belfast with the champions France who had been victorious in Paris a year earlier. The trophy was escorted on a lap of the stadium prior to kick-off by the mascot for the night . It was a friendly match in preparation for the Euro 2000 qualification games and in a rather lacklustre affair the French came out with a 1-0 win. As we can see our history with World Cup trophies in our stadium is not all that good, so perhaps we should have asked our Italian visitors to leave the Henri Delauney Trophy back in Rome rather than bring it on their charter plane to Belfast (if they did so!) . We are happy to welcome the worthy reigning European champions. They lit up the trans-Europe summer tournament with both their pace and attacking flair and with their ruthless and effective defending.

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THE COACH: ITALY

WORDS: LIAM BLACKBURN

Roberto Mancini became the coach of the Italian national team when he was hired in May 2018 following the country’s failure to qualify for that summer’s World Cup in Russia. A forward in his playing days, Mancini began his career at Bologna and then made 566 appearances for Sampdoria – scoring 168 times across 15 years – before ending his career with Lazio and then in England with Leicester City. At Samp he formed a lethal strike partnership with Gianluca Vialli and the two helped the club win their only Serie A title in the 1990-91 season. Mancini was also captain of the side in the 1992 European Cup final when Sampdoria suffered a 1-0 loss to Barcelona at Wembley. Mancini won 36 caps for his country and scored four times, including once against Germany at Euro 1988. He took his first managerial job at Fiorentina, cutting short a loan stint with Leicester to take the position in 2001. He won Coppa Italia trophies with Fiorentina and then Lazio before taking charge of Inter Milan in 2004. Mancini won three successive league titles with Inter before replacing Mark Hughes at Manchester City in December 2009. He led City to an FA Cup triumph over Stoke City in May 2011 to end the club’s 35-year wait for a trophy and, the following season, Mancini guided City to a Premier League title thanks to a dramatic last- gasp goal from Sergio Aguero in a 3-2 win over Queens Park Rangers. He became the second Italian after Carlo Ancelotti (Chelsea 2010) to win the Premier

League, but he stayed in the job just 12 more months. Mancini then went on to manage Galatasaray before returning to Inter and later taking charge of Zenit St Petersburg, whom he left to take over at the national team. Though Italy won just one of their first six games under Mancini, he soon turned around their fortunes, culminating in their Euro 2020 triumph back in the summer. The Italians defeated England on penalties in the final at Wembley. Mancini is closing in on 800 matches as a manager and he has won 11 major trophies. • Mancini won six Coppa Italia trophies as a player – a record he shares with Gianluigi Buffon. Mancini has also won the competition four times as a manager, twice with Inter and once with Fiorentina and Lazio respectively. • He presided over a world record 37-game unbeaten run in charge of Italy between October 2018 and October 2021. Mancini became the fastest Azzurri manager to reach 30 victories, which he did in just 44 games at the helm. • Mancini is one of 11 managers to have won the Premier League. Four of those – Mancini, Ancelotti, Antonio Conte and Claudio Ranieri – are Italian.

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THE SQUAD: ITALY

WORDS: LIAM BLACKBURN

GIANLUIGI DONNARUMMA GOALKEEPER PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN AGE 22 CAPS 39 GOALS 0 Debuted for AC Milan as a 16-year-old and spent six seasons as their number one before joining Paris Saint-Germain in the summer. Donnarumma made his Italy debut at 17 when he replaced Gianluigi Buffon. Became number one when Buffon retired in 2018. Was named player of the tournament at Euro 2020. AGE 34 CAPS 28 GOALS 0 A four-time Ligue 1 title winner with Paris Saint- Germain, Sirigu joined Genoa in August after a four-year spell with fellow Serie A club Torino. The veteran stopper made his Italy debut back in 2010 and has appeared in games at the 2014 World Cup, Euro 2016 and Euro 2020. SALVATORE SIRIGU GOALKEEPER GENOA

EMERSON PALMIERI DEFENDER LYON AGE 27 CAPS 24 GOALS 0 Born in Sao Paulo, Emerson represented Brazil at Under-17 level but switched his allegiance to Italy in 2017. Made his senior debut in 2018 and was a regular at the recent Euros. The ex-Roma man won both a Europa League and Champions League with Chelsea but joined Lyon in August on a one-year loan. AGE 33 CAPS 21 GOALS 1 Received his first call-up in 2012 and made his senior bow two years later when Antonio Conte selected him for a match against Albania. However, he did not make his competitive debut until 2019. Now in his fourth season with Lazio, the ex- Sassuolo defender made three appearances at the Euro 2020 finals. ALESSIO CRAGNO GOALKEEPER CAGLIARI AGE 27 CAPS 2 GOALS 0 Won his first call-up to the senior squad in September 2018 under Roberto Mancini. Made his senior debut in October 2020 when coming off the bench. His only other cap was in a friendly win over San Marino in May. Was named the Serie B Footballer of the Year when helping Benevento to promotion in 2017. FRANCESCO ACERBI DEFENDER LAZIO

ALEX MERET GOALKEEPER NAPOLI AGE 24 CAPS 2 GOALS 0 Meret has represented Italy at every level from Under-16 to the senior team. He was the only member of the Euro 2020 squad who did not make an appearance at the tournament. A youth product of Udinese, Meret plays his club football at Napoli, with whom he won the Coppa Italia in 2019-20. AGE 34 CAPS 113 GOALS 8 Bonucci made his senior international bow in 2010 and has been a regular since the retirement of Fabio Cannavaro. He won his 100th cap against Northern Ireland in March and became the oldest player to score in a European Championship final when he netted against England in July. GIAN MARCO FERRARI DEFENDER SASSUOLO AGE 29 CAPS 1 GOALS 1 Parma-born Ferrari came up through the youth ranks and then turned professional at his hometown club. He was sold to Gubbio before returning to Parma and then moving to Crotone. He joined Sassuolo in 2016 but was loaned out to Crotone and Sampdoria. He has been a Sassuolo regular for the past few seasons. Ferrari scored his first goal for Italy when he made his senior international debut in a 7–0 home win over San Marino back in May. LEONARDO BONUCCI DEFENDER JUVENTUS

GIOVANNI DI LORENZO DEFENDER NAPOLI

AGE 28 CAPS 18 GOALS 2 Right back who scored his first international goal in the 5-0 win over Lithuania in September. Di Lorenzo has been with Napoli since 2019 and won the Coppa Italia in his first season. He made his Italy debut in October 2019 and started the Euro 2020 final, playing the entire match.

GIANLUCA MANCINI DEFENDER ROMA AGE 25 CAPS 6 GOALS 0

DAVIDE ZAPPACOSTA DEFENDER ATALANTA AGE 29 CAPS 13 GOALS 0

Former Perugia and Atalanta central defender with an eye for goal who has been with Roma since 2019. Cites Marco Materazzi as his football idol. A regular under Jose Mourinho with Roma this season, Mancini made his Italy debut in 2019 but was not part of the Euro 2020-winning squad.

The former Chelsea full back plays for Atalanta in Serie A. It is his third spell with the Bergamo-based club. After signing for Atalanta in 2011 from Isola Liri he had loan spells with Avellino in Serie B before signing for them. He returned to Atalanta before switching to Torino and on to Chelsea (2017-2021; loan spells with Roma and Genoa) and then back to Atalanta.

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JORGINHO MIDFIELD CHELSEA AGE 29 CAPS 41 GOALS 5 Central midfielder who has enjoyed a magical calendar year, winning the Champions League with Chelsea and Euro 2020 with Italy. Born in Brazil, Jorginho moved to Italy at the age of 15 and made his senior debut in 2016. Starred at Napoli and was brought to Chelsea by Maurizio Sarri. AGE 22 CAPS 0 GOALS 0 One of only two uncapped players called up by Roberto Mancini. Pobega is on the books at Milan but is on his fourth loan away from the club. He only made his Under-21 debut a year ago and scored twice in a 2-1 victory over Iceland. Has scored twice in nine league games for Torino this term. NICOLÒ BARELLA MIDFIELD INTER MILAN AGE 24 CAPS 34 GOALS 7 Dynamic box-to-box midfielder who started his career at Cagliari and now stars for Inter Milan, with whom he won the Serie A title last season. Barella, who has represented Italy at every age group from Under-15 to senior level, has an eye for goal having scored three international goals since June. TOMMASO POBEGA MIDFIELD TORINO

DANILO CATALDI MIDFIELD LAZIO AGE 27 CAPS 0 GOALS 0 A late call-up to the squad following the withdrawals of Roma duo Lorenzo Pellegrini and Nicolo Zaniolo. Rome-born Cataldi has made over 100 appearances for Lazio having come through the club’s academy. He was a regular for Italy Under-21s between 2014 and 2017.

BRYAN CRISTANTE MIDFIELD ROMA AGE 26 CAPS 21 GOALS 1 Attacking midfielder who has scored 20 goals combined in Serie A for Milan, Atalanta and current club Roma. He also spent time in Portugal with Benfica. Cristante came on in the Euro 2020 final. In fact all six of his appearances at that tournament came from the bench. MATTEO PESSINA MIDFIELD ATALANTA AGE 24 CAPS 11 GOALS 4 A member of the Italy Under-20 team that finished third at the 2017 World Cup, Pessina received his first senior call-up a year ago. He was initially left out of the Euro 2020 squad but was later called up following an injury to Stefano Sensi, and Pessina scored twice at the tournament.

MANUEL LOCATELLI MIDFIELD JUVENTUS

AGE 23 CAPS 19 GOALS 3 Locatelli made his senior breakthrough at AC Milan before joining Sassuolo and then Juventus, whom he moved to in August on a two-year loan with an obligation to buy. Another who has represented Italy at every level from the Under-15 age group, Locatelli scored twice in the 3-0 win over Switzerland at the Euros.

SANDRO TONALI MIDFIELD AC MILAN AGE 21 CAPS 5 GOALS 0

Highly rated young midfielder who has drawn comparisons with Andrea Pirlo who, like Tonali, began his career at Brescia. Tonali won the Italian Golden Boy Award in 2020 and made his senior debut in 2019. Tonali has scored twice in Serie A this season already for Milan, for whom he has made 10 league starts.

ANDREA BELOTTI FORWARD TORINO

DOMENICO BERARDI FORWARD SASSUOLO

AGE 27 CAPS 40 GOALS 12 Played up front alongside Kyle Lafferty and current Juventus star Paulo Dybala in the Palermo team that won the Serie B title in 2013-14 under Gennaro Gattuso. Belotti later moved to Torino and recently reached 100 goals in Serie A. Has been a full international for Italy since 2016.

AGE 27 CAPS 22 GOALS 6 Scored the first goal in the 2-0 victory over Northern Ireland back in March and has found the net twice since. Berardi has made more than 300 appearances for Sassuolo, scoring over 100 goals. He scored Italy’s first goal in the penalty shoot-out win over England in the Euro 2020 final.

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THE SQUAD: ITALY

FEDERICO BERNARDESCHI FORWARD JUVENTUS AGE 27 CAPS 37 GOALS 6 Wide man who came through the ranks at Fiorentina before joining rivals Juventus in 2017. He has won three titles with the Bianconeri. Bernardeschi won his first international cap under Antonio Conte in 2016 and he scored penalties in the semi-final and final victories at Euro 2020. GIACOMO RASPADORI FORWARD SASSUOLO AGE 21 CAPS 7 GOALS 1 Raspadori represented Italy at Under-17, U19, U20 and U21 levels before being called up to the Euro 2020 squad by Roberto Mancini in June despite never having won a senior cap. Scored his first international goal during a 5-0 victory over Lithuania in a World Cup qualifier in September.

FEDERICO CHIESA FORWARD JUVENTUS

LORENZO INSIGNE FORWARD NAPOLI AGE 30 CAPS 52 GOALS 10 Captain of Napoli, for whom he has played over 400 times and scored more than 100 goals. The diminutive forward made his debut for Italy in 2012 and he found the net twice during the run to Euro 2020 glory. He has reached double figures in goals in each of the past six seasons for Napoli.

AGE 24 CAPS 37 GOALS 4 Now in his second season with Juventus after joining the club from Fiorentina, with whom he scored 10 Serie A goals in 2019-20. Came into this window having played 15 times for Italy in 2021 alone. He is the son of Enrico Chiesa, the former Parma and Fiorentina forward who won 17 caps for Italy.

GIANLUCA SCAMACCA FORWARD SASSUOLO AGE 22 CAPS 1 GOALS 0

Former Roma youth product who made his senior breakthrough in the Netherlands with PSV Eindhoven. Joined Sassuolo in 2017 and debuted in Serie A as an 18-year-old. Scored two goals for Italy’s Under-19s during the 2018 Euros and received his first call-up to the senior squad in September.

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WORDS: LIAM BLACKBURN

FACT FILE: ITALY

• The nation’s first international match occurred in 1910 when they defeated France 6-2 in Milan. Italy then went on to win the bronze medal at the 1928 Olympics in Amsterdam, beating Eg ypt 11-3 to secure third place. • The 1930s were a golden period for the country. They won the World Cups in 1934 – when Italy hosted the tournament – and again in 1938 (in France) as coach Vittorio Pozzo became the only man to win two World Cup titles as a manager. One of their star players at that time was Giuseppe Meazza, an Inter Milan great who scored 33 times in 53 games for his country. Inter and AC Milan’s San Siro stadium was later named Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in his honour. • Between those World Cup triumphs Italy also won the gold medal at the 1936 Olympics. • Several members of the Italy squad tragically died in a 1949 plane crash involving the whole Torino team. The country did not make it out of the group stage at the World Cups in 1950, 1954, 1962 or 1966. • They were knocked out of the 1966 World Cup by North Korea, who stunned the two-time champions with a 1-0 victory in Middlesbrough. • However, Italy bounced back in 1968, winning the European Championship on home soil – the first time they had participated in the tournament . They defeated Yugoslavia in a replay to claim the trophy. • Italy reached the 1970 World Cup final after a thrilling 4-3 win over West Germany in the semi-finals, but they were then beaten 4-1 by the great Brazil side in Mexico City. • In 1982 Italy won their third World Cup, beating West Germany 3-1 in the final . Paolo Rossi finished as the competition’s top scorer with six goals. • The World Cup was staged in Italy again in 1990, and the hosts lost a semi-final penalty shootout to a Diego Maradona-inspired Argentina in Naples. Four years later the Azzurri suffered more heartache as Roberto Baggio missed the decisive kick in the final shootout loss to Brazil .

INTERNATIONAL • Northern Ireland face Italy hoping to continue their fine record against the Azzurri in Belfast . The boys in green and white have never lost to the Italians at home. • The two nations first met in Belfast in December 1957 in what was due to be a crucial World Cup qualifier for the tournament in 1958. However, Hungarian referee Istvan Zsolt was stranded in London because of fog so the game was downgraded to a friendly, which was an ill-tempered affair that finished 2-2. • Italy made the trip to Belfast again in January 1958 for the decisive World Cup qualifier, which Northern Ireland won 2-1, ensuring the home side qualified out of a group featuring the Azzurri and Portugal . It was the first time Italy, who had already won two World Cups at that point , failed to make the finals of the global tournament . They would go on to qualify for every World Cup tournament between 1962 and 2014. • Italy’s last trip to Belfast ended in a 0-0 draw in October 2010 in a Euro 2012 qualifier. Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci – both of whom were named in the initial squad for tonight’s fixture – started that evening. • The Italians have fared far better against Northern Ireland in their own country. Italy have won all seven of those games and Northern Ireland have not scored in any of their five previous trips to the country. • In the most recent FIFA World Rankings, Italy were fourth, behind only Belgium, Brazil and France. They have been the top-ranked nation

in the world on four occasions. The last time they were that high, however, was in September 2007.

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