Italy have booked their spot in the World Cup play-off final, and the Azzurri boast an impressive head-to-head record against their upcoming opponents, Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

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How have Italy previously fared against Bosnia and Herzegovina?

Italy is the highest ranked nation that does not have a place at the 2026 World Cup wrapped up. Gennaro Gattuso’s side finished second in their World Cup qualifying group behind Norway, which condemned them to the play-offs for the third tournament cycle in a row. 

The Azzurri fell short at this stage heading into the two previous World Cups. They have not qualified since 2014 and have not played a knock-out game at the tournament since beating France to claim the trophy in the 2006 final. 

Second-half goals from Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean sealed a 2-0 victory at home against Northern Ireland in Thursday evening’s play-off semi-final, which has set up a final date with Bosnia away from home on Tuesday evening. 

Since the inception of the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team in 1995, Italy have faced them six times: Twice in friendlies, twice in qualifying for EURO 2020 and twice in the 2020-21 Nations League campaign. 

Italy have won four of their six previous meetings against Bosnia, have drawn one and lost one. 

Italy’s only ever loss against Bosnia came in their first meeting 30 years ago, which was an international friendly on November 6, 1996 and ended 2-1 in favour of the hosts. Enrico Chiesa scored Italy’s only goal that game, assisted by Gianfranco Zola. 

The other five meetings between Italy and Bosnia have all come within the last seven years. 

Italy won 2-1 at home and 3-0 away when the two nations met in qualifying for EURO 2020. The Azzurri were held to a 1-1 draw at home, but beat Bosnia 2-0 away during the 2020-21 Nations League campaign, and Italy were also 1-0 victors when the two sides met in a friendly just before EURO 2024 two summers ago. Davide Frattesi provided the only goal of the game on that occasion.

Northern Ireland head coach Michael O’Neill said that he was ‘proud’ of his young Northern Ireland team that lost 2-0 to Italy in the World Cup play-off semi-final on Thursday evening, but argued: ‘I think we had a strong claim for a penalty’. 

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Second-half goals from Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean handed Italy a 2-0 victory over their visitors from Northern Ireland in Bergamo on Thursday night, which means that Gennaro Gattuso’s side will now go on to face Bosnia and Herzegovina away from home on Tuesday night for a spot in the final World Cup tournament. 

O’Neill reacts to Italy 2-0 Northern Ireland: ‘Strong claim for a penalty’

Italy are the highest-ranked nation in the World not to have qualified for the 2026 World Cup, which meant that they were the strong favourites at home against Northern Ireland, who were missing two of its key Premier League players in Conor Bradley and Dan Ballard and named a starting XI with an average age of 22.5 years. 

“I’m very proud of the performance first of all, the players gave everything,” said O’Neill after full-time.

“I thought first half we were terrific in terms of our shape and our structure, we made it difficult for Italy. We had to defend corners, but we defended them extremely well.” 

The Northern Ireland head coach does feel that his side should have been awarded a penalty against Italy on the night, though.

“I felt at times we could have been a little bit better on the ball, I thought we had opportunities where we maybe just overhit the pass or maybe made the wrong option at times. I think we had a strong claim for a penalty with the handball as well. 

“Second half, we gave them a couple of moments that we created ourselves. The goal’s poor from our point of view. Terry (Devlin)’s out of shape and then Isaac (Price) is not in the position we’d really want him to be in. The ball’s headed down into a poor area and the one person you don’t want landing on the ball at that point in time is Tonali and it’s a strong hit.

“But again, I felt like there was always something for us in the game. The second goal obviously takes it away from you a little bit, but we had a couple of chances towards the end to try and make it a little bit tense, but look, it was a very young team tonight, I think the average age of the team was just 22. They gave everything, that’s all we can ask.

“I’m very proud of them and I think we showed that we’ve made huge strides as a team as well.”

The Italian press have had their say on Italy’s 2-0 World Cup play-off semi-final victory over Northern Ireland, and many feel that there were encouraging signs from Gennaro Gattuso’s side in their second-half performance after what was widely described as a difficult first 45. 

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How did the press in Italy react to Northern Ireland victory?

Italy beat Northern Ireland thanks to goals from Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean in Bergamo on Thursday evening, and will now go on to challenge Bosnia and Herzegovina away from home for a spot in the final tournament on Tuesday night as a result. 

The Azzurri are the highest-ranked nation in the World that has not yet qualified for the World Cup, and despite being the second-most successful nation in the tournament’s history, Italy has not appeared in the competition since 2014. They have not featured in a knock-out game since winning the trophy in 2006 either. 

La Gazzetta dello Sport admits that this is not a brilliant Italy side compared to some of its great teams of years gone by, but says that there is enough individual quality, particularly from Tonali. 

La Gazzetta dello Sport also says that Gattuso’s side showed the required level team spirit against Northern Ireland, and that this is a quality that Gattuso has picked up from his former mentor Marcello Lippi. 

Similarly, Corriere dello Sport editor Ivan Zazzaroni suggests that Italy’s biggest strength heading into the Bosnia and Herzegovina play-off final will be its unity. 

He points to the team that won the European Championship in 2021: Despite the fact that there was arguably more quality in that side compared to the current squad, it was the togetherness that got the Azzurri over the line after coming into the final as underdogs against hosts England. 

The Italian newspapers are widely in agreement over the best performing Italy players against Northern Ireland on Thursday night. Tonali has stolen most of the headlines, Kean has earned praise for his goal as well, but Tuttosport has also singled out Matteo Politano for praise, while others have praised Pio Esposito and Marco Palestra for their showings off the bench. 

On the other hand, most papers agree that Mateo Retegui was the worst performing Italy player on the night, with most outlets handing him a score of 5/10.

Italy national team head coach Gennaro Gattuso says that he attempted to bring Sandro Tonali to Napoli during his spell in charge of the Partenopei, but claims that ‘Milan were better’ at the time. 

Gattuso praise for Tonali: ‘I only knew how to do one thing, he knows how to do several’

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Tonali broke the deadlock and sent Italy on their way to the World Cup play-off final with his goal during Thursday evening’s 2-0 win over Northern Ireland in Bergamo. The Azzurri will go on to face Bosnia and Herzegovina in Zenica on Tuesday night: A one-legged decider for a spot at the final tournament. 

Tonali earned praise from both sets of head coaches after Thursday’s win over Northern Ireland: Michael O’Neill describing him as potentially the best midfielder in the Premier League at the moment. 

Gattuso also had nothing but good things to say about the Newcastle United star during his post-match press conference, and says that he tried to bring him to Napoli back in 2020. 

“When he went to Milan, he called me and asked if he could take my no.8 jersey, a call that surprised me,” Gattuso told the press after full-time on Thursday night (via TMW).

“I was at Napoli, I tried to bring him with me, but Milan were better,” the CT admitted. 

“Over the years, our relationship has continued. There’s always been mutual respect. Sandro is a complete player. I only knew how to do one thing, but he knows how to do several.”

Reports in Italy claim that Juventus delegates were in Poland to watch Robert Lewandowski, who continues to be linked with a move to Turin once his contract with Barcelona comes to an end upon the conclusion of the 2025-26 season. 

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Juventus step up Lewandowski pursuit

Both Milan and Juventus have been linked with moves for 37-year-old Lewandowski in the wake of the success that 40-year-old former Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modric has brought to San Siro this season. 

Lewandowski, who will turn 38 in August, is into the final few months of his contract with Barcelona, and has not yet decided either way as to his next career steps. 

According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, Juventus sent representatives to Poland to watch their national team, who beat Albania 2-1 in their World Cup play-off semi-final thanks to goals from Lewandowski and Inter midfielder Piotr Zielinski, and will now go on to face Sweden in their final next week. 

The Pink Paper claims that Juventus are trying to ‘man-mark’ the Poland and Barcelona veteran, who also has interest in the United States. 

Lewandowski, to little surprise, is a high earner, reportedly earning around €12.5m on his current contract in Barcelona with bonuses included, which would make him the second-highest earner in Serie A this season. 

La Gazzetta dello Sport claims that on top of their interest in Lewandowski, Juventus are also still hoping to tie Dusan Vlahovic down to a new contract on reduced wages, and that Randal Kolo Muani remains a strong option for the summer transfer window as well.

Fabio Capello feels that Italy showed ‘pride’ and that they ‘put their soul’ into Thursday night’s 2-0 victory over Northern Ireland, and feels that the Azzurri got the best possible set of results from the World Cup play-off semi-finals. 

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Gennaro Gattuso and his players took a step towards qualification for the 2026 World Cup after a 2-0 victory against Northern Ireland in the play-off semi-final in Bergamo on Thursday night. 

The Azzurri have set up a final date with Bosnia, who beat Wales on penalties in Cardiff just after the Italy vs. Northern Ireland game had come to an end. The decider will be played in Bosnia on Tuesday night. 

Capello: ‘I was screaming like a madman, Wales would have been a more difficult obstacle for Italy’

Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport after Italy’s victory against Northern Ireland, Capello admitted that he: “was screaming like a madman on the sofa. For me, the national team is much more than any other team.” (via TMW)

Capello feels that Italy were too slow and that they did not play with enough intensity during the first half, and says that Northern Ireland: “put their bodies and focus into it. For a long time, they didn’t allow us to have any fluidity in the final 30 metres and so we struggled to create any danger.” 

As a result of their victory against Northern Ireland, Italy have set up a final clash away against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday night.

• Read more: Dimarco and Italy teammates divide opinions after celebrating Bosnia penalty win

Capello says that the upcoming opponents have: “Good technique and are definitely superior to Northern Ireland. But I have to be honest, in terms of spirit and pace, Wales would have been a more difficult obstacle, especially at their home.” 

Capello also gave his thoughts on one of his former ‘students’, Gattuso, who now has five wins and two defeats from his seven matches in charge of the national team. 

“I thought he looked a bit tense, which is normal, but also quite fired up on the bench” Capello said. “We saw a national team that put its soul into it and fought for it. As an Italian, I know well that we’ve had stronger teams in the past, of course, but what I can’t tolerate is a lack of pride, of competitiveness.”

Federico Dimarco and a handful of his Italy teammates have divided opinions online after appearing to celebrate Bosnia and Herzegovina’s penalty victory shootout against Wales in their World Cup play-off semi-final on Thursday evening, with some accusing the Azzurri stars of being too ‘arrogant’. 

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Italy beat Northern Ireland 2-0 in Bergamo in their World Cup play-off semi-final on Thursday evening and will now go on to face Bosnia and Herzegovina in Zenica in the final on Tuesday night after Edin Dzeko and his compatriots beat Wales in a penalty shootout in Cardiff. 

Italy stars accused of being too arrogant after Bosnia celebrations

Footage has emerged of a handful of Italy players including Dimarco, Guglielmo Vicario, Pio Esposito and a number of non-playing staff members celebrating Bosnia’s penalty shootout victory over Wales on Thursday evening, which happened just over half an hour after the game in Bergamo had come to an end. 

The Italy representatives were seen pumping their fists as Kerim Alajbegović converted the winning spot kick, sealing a 4-2 victory in the shootout. 

The reason behind the players’ celebrations is not entirely clear, but many feel that it is due to the fact that Italy will now face a lower-ranked opponent, given that Wales are currently 35th in the FIFA world rankings, while Bosnia and Herzegovina come in at 66th. 

This theory has drawn some negative comments towards the Italy players, with some supporters accusing them of being too arrogant ahead of the play-off final away against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday night.

“Look at this disrespect and arrogance by Italy. They were already celebrating after we won penalties. We will take this to account in Zenica,” wrote the account named Bosnian Football on X.

Look at this disrespect and arrogance by Italy. They were already celebrating after we won penalties. We will take this to account in Zenica!pic.twitter.com/P8DCNvpb39

— Bosnian Football (@BosniaNTBall) March 27, 2026

“It’s not right to celebrate now. We celebrate on Tuesday. We need respect for Bosnia and for the opponent we still have to face. We have to stay focused, we never go in convinced that we’re stronger,” an Italian supporter wrote.

There have, of course, been other theories. Some suggest that the Italy players might have been relieved to not have to play away against Wales in Cardiff, while some claim that the Inter players spotted in the footage were simply pleased for their former teammate, Dzeko, and his colleagues.

La Gazzetta dello Sport 

Italy yes 

World Cup play-offs: Final in Bosnia on Tuesday 

Convincing second half, Northern Ireland beaten 2-0. Tonali unleashed: Scores and gifts the assist to Kean. Gattuso: ‘We wanted a victory like this’

The infinite Dzeko scores, and it tastes like Serie A 

The next opponents beat Wales on penalties

Corriere dello Sport 

And that’s that 

Italy in the final: Tonali and Kean to thank 

Bosnia on Tuesday | World Cup play-offs: The Azzurri beat Northern Ireland 2-0 in Bergamo

Complicated start. Sandro and Moise drag the Nazionale through in the second half. Gattuso: ‘We suffered’. Now the decisive appointment in Zenica. Dzeko eliminates Wales on penalties (3-5)

Goodbye to Savoldi, who became ‘Mr 2 billion’ in 1975

Tuttosport 

Here we go 

2-0: Well done, but it’s not over

World Cup play-offs, Bergamo drags Italy through against Northern Ireland: Tonali and Kean take us to Bosnia 

The tension blocked them up for a while, but the Azzurri were transformed in the second half: Retegui misses a great opportunity, the Newcastle ace scores a great goal, Pio Esposito comes on and then the spectacular doubler from the Viola bomber arrives. Gattuso: ‘We made life difficult for ourselves, but we will play this final with faith’. Alajbegovic freezes Cardiff on penalties: Tuesday at 19.45 in Zenica

Goodbye mister 2 billion, the singer of goals 

The death of Savoldi

‘They tried to take Juve down but never succeeded

Possetto on the Tuttosport podcast

The head of the youth sector: ‘United, we will win again’. Kessie hotting up, his agent is in Italy. Eyes on Ostigard. Conceicao: ‘Liverpool? I’m already at a big club’

Jappert and Dellavalle in the new Toro defence

Marianucci, Marzipan and Savanoz to leave 

They’ve liked the Argentine since January. The former youth player will return from Modena. Youth department: Yet another revolution

Tough Sinner dismantles Tiafoe

Tennis: He’s in the semi-finals in Miami

Reports in the UK claim that Manchester United are growing increasingly keen on the idea of signing Sandro Tonali from Newcastle this summer, and that the Red Devils will prioritise the purchase of the Italy international over the likes of Elliot Anderson or Adam Wharton.

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Manchester United expected to bid for Tonali in the summer

According to reports from MailOnline’s chief Football reporter Craig Hope, Manchester United are expected to make a ‘formal approach’ for Tonali once the 2025-26 season comes to an end. 

The former Milan midfielder sits atop a midfield shortlist that also includes Nottingham Forest’s Anderson, linked with a move to Manchester City, and fellow England international Wharton of Crystal Palace. 

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes is also said to have ‘added his support’ to an approach for Tonali this summer. 

Prizing Tonali away from Newcastle will be an expensive affair, though. He remains under contract at St. James’s Park for another three years, and has an option to extend for an additional 12 months. 

Reports in Italy suggest that Newcastle could seek a fee in the region of €90m for Tonali this summer, which will likely price the interested Serie A sides out of the equation, including Juventus. 

Manchester United could be in a prime position to snatch Tonali away from Newcastle, though, given the financial resources available to them and the fact that they are closing in on a guaranteed spot in next season’s Champions League. 

Newcastle, meanwhile, look set to miss out on European football altogether next season as they currently find themselves in 12th place in the Premier League table with seven league games of the season left to go.

Supporters have been sharing their thoughts and opinions ahead of Italy’s World Cup play-off semi-final on Thursday evening, but not everybody will be cheering on the Azzurri, as some Italians appear to be rooting for tonight’s opponents, Northern Ireland: ‘Go on, send Gravina home’. 

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Italy are hosting Northern Ireland at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo for the World Cup play-off semi-final on Thursday evening. The winner of tonight’s tie will go on to face either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina away from home in the play-off final on Tuesday night. 

Despite having four World Cup trophies in the cabinet, bettered only by Brazil, the Azzurri have not qualified for the final tournament since 2014 and have not featured in the knock-out stages since beating France in the 2006 final. 

If Italy fail to win both of their matches this international break, they will miss out on the World Cup for the third tournament cycle in a row.  

Italy supporters’ opinions ahead of Northern Ireland play-off

Plenty of Azzurri supporters have sent their best wishes to the national team ahead of Thursday night’s play-off semi-final against Northern Ireland, but give frustrations with the national team and the FIGC over the last decade, and with some club loyalties coming into play, not all Italians appear to be behind Gennaro Gattuso and his players. 

“Come on Northern Ireland, we’re with you! Send Gravina home,” one disgruntled supporter wrote on X, frustrated with the team’s performance under the current FIGC President. 

“Northern Ireland have never had as many fans as this,” another joked.

“We’ll only support Italy when Gravina resigns, so come on Northern Ireland,” another added.

Another wrote: “Today more than ever, Forza Northern Ireland. So that these idiots who hold the top positions in Italian football can definitively go and f*** themselves. Go on the Belfast Boys.” 

One supporter wrote: “The national team with Bastoni and Gravina is not my national team. Forza Northern Ireland.” 

Not all Italy supporters share the same opinions, though: “Us Italians with brains are all behind you. The sell-outs on the other hand will keep jeering as always. Seeing them put down makes us enjoy it three times more,” one supporter wrote on X. 

Another added: “Never seen a country hate its national team so much as Italy. No wonder the main issue is mental. Who wouldn’t be in this situation with ‘fans’ like these. Forza Italia sempre.” 

Other fans are more confident, while some feel that Italy will have no issues getting past Northern Ireland, but may run into trouble away from home should they qualify for the final. Others are feeling a whole mix of emotions rolled into one. 

“Feel ok today. If we can’t beat N Ireland at home then we just don’t deserve to go. Period. Nothing to worry about,” one fan wrote.

“Knots in my stomach. I’m optimistic we get to Tuesday at the very least,” another fan added. Similarly, another fan claimed: “Today, in some way, we will win. But I’m scared for Tuesday.”

“We can’t afford to stay out of the World Cup for the third time. Italy needs to reclaim its place,” another supporter wrote on X.

Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has joined up with his Italy teammates at their training camp ahead of the crucial World Cup play-off campaign that kicks off on Thursday night, and is expected to stay with the squad for the remainder of the international break, despite having surgery at the beginning of this week. 

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Vicario meets up with Italy squad despite surgery on Monday

Vicario was not included in Gennaro Gattuso’s list of 28 players for the World Cup play-offs taking place over the next week, beginning with Thursday evening’s semi-final at home against Northern Ireland. Should Italy overcome the Green and White Army, they will go on to face either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina away from home on Tuesday night (March 31) for a spot at the final tournament.

Tottenham later confirmed that the reason behind Vicario’s absence from the Italy squad was due to a hernia issue, and that the former Empoli stopper would have surgery during the international break to minimise the impact of his absence at club level. 

Vicario has been Italy’s second-choice for most of the last few years, and was not expected to start ahead of Gianluigi Donnarumma for the crucial play-off matches anyway. 

Vicario had his operation on Monday and updated his supporters with a message on his Instagram story that read: “See you soon”. 

Less than three days after his operation, Vicario is back in Italy and has joined up with his Italy national team colleagues in a show of support and togetherness. 

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Vicario took a private flight over to Italy on Wednesday evening and will stay with the Italy squad for the remainder of the international break, which for Italy, will come to an end after Tuesday night’s match, which will either be a play-off final or a friendly depending on the outcome of Thursday night’s match against Northern Ireland.

At that point, Vicario will return to London to continue his recovery process. Tottenham have stated that they hope to have the goalkeeper back and available ‘within a month’.

There is a growing possibility that both Roma and Premier League side Everton end up qualifying for the same European competition at the end of the 2025-26 season, which could result in one of them being excluded due to the fact that both sides are under the same ownership. 

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Roma and Everton at ‘risk’ of qualifying for the same competition

Dan Friedkin is the majority shareholder of both Roma and Everton, holding 95.97% of the Giallorossi shares and 94.1% of shares in the Premier League club. 

As things stand, both sides are competing for a spot in UEFA competitions for 2026-27 in their respective domestic leagues. Roma are currently sixth in Serie A, which would be enough for a Europa League finish, but are still hoping for a Champions League spot, and currently sit just three points behind Como in fourth. 

Everton, meanwhile, are eighth in the Premier League, level on points with Brentford in seventh. Like Roma, they are also three points away from a Champions League spot, given that the Premier League is expected to receive five UCL places again in 2026-27. 

However, under UEFA regulations, no individual or legal entity is permitted to have a decisive influence over more than one club competing in its competitions.

That means that if both Roma and Everton were to qualify for the same European competition next season, whether that be the Champions League, Europa League or Conference League, one team would either be demoted to a lower-ranking competition, or potentially excluded altogether. 

Just last season, Premier League side Crystal Palace had qualified for the Europa League as a result of their FA Cup win, but were then demoted to the Conference League given that they were under the same ownership as Ligue 1 side Lyon, who had already qualified for the Europa League. 

If Roma and Everton were to qualify for the same competition, UEFA would be expected to give preference to the side that finished highest in its respective national league. If there is no difference, the place should be awarded to the club whose federation ranks highest on the UEFA access list.

Former Juventus star Alessio Tacchinardi says that the current Bianconeri side need a clearer process and hierarchy when it comes to penalty kicks, and believes that Luciano Spalletti is the right man to take Juventus forwards along as he gets the signings he requires: ‘He can’t be expected to perform miracles without them’. 

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Tacchinardi on Juventus’s season, Locatelli’s captaincy and Spalletti’s future

Tacchinardi discussed all things Juventus in a recent interview with Sport Mediaset. 

It has been a season of ups and downs for the Old Lady, who currently find themselves in fifth place with eight games to go, locked into a battle with Como and Roma for a spot in Serie A’s Champions League positions. 

Tacchinardi feels that there are still a few clear issues for Juventus to resolve, though: “We lack ambition, positivity. The team never manages to play with its chest out, with charisma or personality, that’s what’s lacking today.” 

Tacchinardi was asked what he makes of Manuel Locatelli as a Juventus captain. 

He said: “I was excited against Galatasaray. I liked what I saw from him and I thought Juve had found a real captain. However, he lacks that bit of malice to drag the team over the line. It’s wrong to criticise his penalty kick (against Sassuolo), though. He scored the decisive one to get them to the Champions League last season. It’s all the others that don’t go down well. 

“In my time, Del Piero took them, period. Trezeguet, Nedved, Ibrahimovic and all these other star players arrived, but when there was a penalty, nobody disturbed Del Piero. 

“A penalty taker needs that calmness. Today at Juve, one takes the ball, another speaks to him, one asks the other what they think and Locatelli is left watching on. It’s got to be destabilising, it’s a big mistake from the Bianconeri.” 

Tacchinardi was asked if head coach Spalletti is the one responsible for the messy pre-penalty routine. 

“Yes, but I’m not inside the dressing room,” he replied. “If Spalletti says that Locatelli takes the penalty, the others have to be stopped.”

Tacchinardi was also asked if he feels that Spalletti is the right man to bring Juventus forwards. 

Spalletti is currently on a short-term contract until the end of the 2025-26 season and an extension beyond the summer has not yet been officially announced. Recent reports indicate that the parties are closing in on an agreement, but only until the end of the 2026-27 season with a potential option to extend. 

“I had dinner with him. There was me, him, Ferrara and Del Piero. When I left, I hoped he would go on to become the head coach of Juventus,” said Tacchinardi. 

“He has everything to get them back to a high level, but he needs players with personality, depth and charisma. He can’t be expected to perform miracles without them.” 

Tacchinardi was also asked if he thinks Juventus will qualify for next season’s Champions League. The Bianconeri are fifth with eight games of the season left to go, three points behind Como in fourth. 

“I have a lot of doubts, they can’t afford any missteps, they’ve already had too many,” Tacchinardi says. “They need the Champions League, especially if they want to have a big window.” 

Reports in France claim that Juventus winger Francisco Conceicao is among the potential options for Liverpool to replace Mohamed Salah, who has announced that he will be leaving the club at the end of the 2025-26 season. 

RMC: Juventus’s Conceicao is a potential Salah replacement at Liverpool

Liverpool confirmed on Tuesday that they have an agreement in place with Salah, allowing him to leave the club after nine seasons, two Premier League titles, three Champions League finals and FA Cup, League Cup, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup winners’ medals to his name. 

Speculation over a potential replacement for the Egyptian superstar has already begun, and reports in France claim that Juventus’s Conceicao is one of the names on the Liverpool shortlist. 

There are several other high-profile stars of interest to the reigning Premier League champions, including the likes of Michael Olise, Bradley Barcola and Yan Diomande, but RMC Sport claims that Conceicao is also a potential target. 

Conceicao is currently under contract with Juventus until the summer of 2030. He originally joined the Bianconeri on loan for a fee of €7m plus bonuses for the 2024-25 season. Though this deal technically did not include a buy option, Juventus were still able to make the deal permanent for a fee of €30.4m in the summer of 2025.

Since then, the Portugal international has provided three goals and three assists from 22 Serie A appearances this campaign.

Italy remain the clear favourites against Northern Ireland ahead of Thursday’s crucial World Cup play-off semi-final in Bergamo, and the current market value of the respective national sides shows exactly why Gennaro Gattuso and his team have no excuses against the Green and White Army. 

Italy will host Northern Ireland at Atalanta’s New Balance Arena at 19.45 GMT on Thursday evening, and the winner of that tie will go on to face either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina away from home on Tuesday, March 31, in the play-off final. This will be a one-legged decider for a spot at the final tournament. 

Should Italy fail to win both of these two matches, they will miss out on World Cup qualification for the third tournament cycle in a row. The Azzurri have not qualified since 2014 and have not won a knock-out match at the World Cup since beating France in the final to claim the trophy in 2006. 

• Read more: What Italy should expect from Northern Ireland in World Cup play-off semi-final
• Read more: O’Neill: Italy have ‘everything to lose’ against Northern Ireland

Italy vs. Northern Ireland: Squad value comparison

According to the latest information from transfermarkt.co.uk, the current Italy squad has a market value of €746.5m, compared to Northern Ireland’s €100.15m. 

The Italy squad boasts Sandro Tonali as its current most valuable player at €80m, while for Northern Ireland, that player is Trai Hume at €22m, closely followed by Sunderland teammate Dan Ballard at €20m. Liverpool’s Conor Bradley is valued higher at €30m, but is currently nursing a serious knee injury and will not feature against Italy. 

Hume and Ballard are the only two players in the Northern Ireland squad that are currently valued above the €20m mark, while Italy have 18 players worth €20m or higher. 

The Azzurri players worth in excess of €20m are: Gianluigi Donnarumma, Marco Carnesecchi, Alessandro Bastoni, Alessandro Buongiorno, Giorgio Scalvini, Federico Dimarco, Riccardo Calafiori, Andrea Cambiaso, Marco Palestra, Tonali, Manuel Locatelli, Nicolo Barella, Niccolo Pisilli, Giacomo Raspadori, Pio Esposito, Moise Kean, Mateo Retegui and Gianluca Scamacca. 

The ‘least’ valuable Italy player is 33-year-old Napoli wing-back Leonardo Spinazzola, who is out of contract at the end of the 2025-26 campaign and is currently valued at €3.5m. That would be enough for him to rank as the fifth-most valuable player in the Northern Ireland squad.

According to Tuttosport, there is a 10x difference in the value of the expected starting line-ups of the two national sides. 

Gattuso’s starting XI is likely to feature Donnarumma, Bastoni, Calafiori, Dimarco, Tonali and Barella and is worth around €473m while Northern Ireland’s expected starting line-up is worth a reported €44.7m.