Michael O’Neill: Northern Ireland manager ‘delighted’ World Cup play-off is in Bergamo

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

Italy move their home matches around the country but big fixtures traditionally have been played at the San Siro in Milan or Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

However, it has been reported in local media that the smaller venue in Bergamo has been selected to ease pressure on an Italian side who last qualified for a World Cup in 2014.

The New Balance Arena, which is home of Serie A side Atalanta, has a capacity of almost 25,000.

The play-off semi-final takes place on 26 March and the winner will travel to either Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina for a place at the finals, with a spot for Group B alongside co-hosts Canada, Switzerland and Qatar up for grabs.

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

“If you look at the majority of players in my squad, outside of the four lads who play in the Premier League, they play the majority of their games in stadiums anywhere between 10,000 to 25 or 30,000,” O’Neill said on BBC Radio 5Live.

“They won’t be exposed to the San Siro or Stadio Olimpico, so I think we’ll feel very at home in Bergamo and we won’t be intimidated by the atmosphere at all.

“Obviously the Italians and Genaro Gattusso have their reasons for going there are well, but we’re happy with the choice of venue.”

When the play-off draw was confirmed, O’Neill visited Atalanta’s game with Inter Milan in December to get a sense of the venue.

“I saw a game live in the stadium, which I thought was important, and it is not dissimilar to our own stadium.

“Out stadium in Belfast holds just under 19,000. The Italians have their reasons for wanting to play there but, if I’m honest, I feel it suits us.”