Italy’s World Cup aspirations hang precariously in the balance as coach Gennaro Gattuso has declared their play-off semi-final against Northern Ireland the "most important game" of his career.
The four-time world champions, who suffered the ignominy of failing to qualify for the last two World Cups, face Michael O’Neill’s side in Bergamo on Thursday night, with the immense pressure of a nation resting on their shoulders.
