Michael O’Neill: Northern Ireland coach ‘delighted’ to have World Cup play-off in Bergamo

Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill says he is “delighted” that the World Cup play-off with Italy in March will be held in Bergamo.

Italy broadcasts its home matches around the country, but traditionally the big matches are held at the San Siro in Milan or the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

However, local media reported that the smaller stadium in Bergamo was chosen to ease pressure on the Italian team who last qualified for the World Cup in 2014.

The New Balance Arena, home to Serie A side Atalanta, has a capacity of about 25,000.

The semi-final will take place on March 26, and the winner will travel to Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina for a place in the finals, with a place in Group B alongside co-hosts Canada, Switzerland and Qatar.

O’Neill, who is balancing his international duties with his new role at Blackburn Rovers until the end of the season, said New Balance Stadium “suits us”.

“If you look at the majority of the players in my team, outside of the four players who play in the Premier League, they play most of their games in stadiums that have between 10,000 and 25 or 30,000 people,” O’Neill told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“They won’t be at the San Siro or the Stadio Olimpico, so I think we’ll feel at home in Bergamo and the atmosphere won’t scare us at all.

“Obviously the Italians and Gennaro Gattuso have good reasons to go there, but we are happy with the choice of place.”

When the play-off draw was confirmed, O’Neill visited Atalanta’s match with Inter Milan in December to familiarize themselves with the venue.

“I watched a live match at the stadium, which I thought was important, and it’s no different from our home stadium.

“The outdoor stadium in Belfast has a capacity of just under 19,000. The Italians have their own reasons for wanting to play there but, to be honest, I feel it suits us.”