Italy has a tradition of hosting international matches across various stadiums nationwide, having played in 11 different home grounds since the beginning of 2022.
Typically, major matches occur at iconic venues such as the San Siro in Milan or the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, both of which can accommodate over 70,000 fans. However, this was not the case for the World Cup play-off semi-final against Northern Ireland.
So, what led Italy to choose the New Balance Arena, which has a much smaller capacity of only 24,900 and where the national team has played just once since 2022, for such an important match?
“Bergamo and Atalanta represent something special in European football. It’s a lovely venue with significant importance for Italian football,” remarked Italian journalist Daniele Verri. “While it may not be as massive as the San Siro or the Stadio Olimpico, it creates an intense atmosphere. In a tight game, the crowd will certainly make their presence felt.”
Atalanta plays its home matches at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo [Getty Images]
Since their World Cup victory in 2006, Italy’s performance in the tournament has been disappointing. They failed to progress beyond the group stages in 2010 and 2014 and did not qualify for the last two editions after losing in the playoffs to Sweden and North Macedonia.
This inconsistency is perplexing, especially since Italy was runners-up at the Euros in 2012, reached the quarter-finals four years later, and won the tournament in the postponed 2020 edition. With this context, there is significant pressure on Italy to avoid becoming the first World Cup champions to miss out on three consecutive tournaments.
Has Italy played in Bergamo before?
The New Balance Arena, home to Serie A club Atalanta—currently seventh in the league—is situated in Bergamo, roughly a 40-minute drive from Milan in Lombardy.
Originally opened in 1928, the stadium underwent a five-year renovation completed in 2024. Italy played their inaugural international match there in 1964 but did not return until 1988 for a qualifying match against Malta.
The Azzurri’s next appearance in Bergamo came in a friendly draw with Turkey in November 2006, followed by a pandemic-impacted match against the Netherlands, which saw only 600 fans in attendance in October 2020. Italy also triumphed over Estonia (5-0) in World Cup qualifying under new manager Gennaro Gattuso.
Italy has played at 11 different venues since the start of 2022 [BBC Sport]
Italy’s previous playoff defeat to Sweden took place at the San Siro, where they also faced Norway during the current qualifying campaign. They missed out on the 2022 World Cup after falling to North Macedonia in an unfortunate match in Palermo before 35,000 spectators.
Verri suggests that superstition may have influenced the choice of Bergamo, where Italy is still unbeaten. “There’s an undeniable need to qualify, and that’s creating pressure,” he said. “Missing three consecutive World Cups would be a significant blow to Italian football.”
O’Neill ‘delighted’ with venue
For Northern Ireland, the smaller venue may prove advantageous. Manager Michael O’Neill expressed his satisfaction with the New Balance Arena choice, noting its similarity to their home ground, Windsor Park, which holds 18,500 spectators and also fosters a passionate atmosphere.
O’Neill pointed out that most of his players compete in clubs with capacities ranging from 10,000 to 25,000, whether in the Championship or League One. “We will feel comfortable in Bergamo and should not be intimidated at all,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live. “While the Italians and Gennaro Gattuso likely have their reasons for selecting this venue, we are pleased with the decision. I truly believe it suits us well.”
The New Balance Arena in Bergamo underwent renovations in 2024 to expand its capacity to 22,500. [Getty Images]
After announcing his squad, O’Neill acknowledged the intense scrutiny facing Italy leading up to the playoffs. “Playing in Bergamo may help them alleviate some of that pressure,” he remarked, noting that it is unusual for Italy to miss out on consecutive World Cups, creating substantial expectations and stress.
Thus, both teams have valid reasons to favor the venue selected for this crucial playoff semi-final. Italy faces immense pressure to qualify, while Northern Ireland can find reassurance in the familiar atmosphere of the stadium’s size. Only time will reveal which team benefits more from this choice.
This article is brought to you by the BBC Sport’s Ask Me Anything team.
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