Gennaro Gattuso, Italy’s head coach, has described the final obstacle standing between his team and the World Cup as "Everest." If they scale it, the Azzurri will secure their ticket to the global stage for the first time in 12 years.
While Gattuso uses the metaphor of the world’s highest peak, on paper, that mountain is Bosnia and Herzegovina—a team that, like Italy, has not featured in a World Cup since 2014.
The similarities end there: Italy is a four-time champion, while Bosnia has made only one appearance. However, fate has brought them together in tonight’s high-stakes Play-off Final.
A Shaky Path to the Final
Italy reached this stage after overcoming Northern Ireland in the semi-finals last week, thanks to goals from Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean.
Despite the win, the performance did little to calm the nerves of Italian supporters. Gattuso himself seems wary, likely why he views tonight’s clash at the Bilino Polje Stadium in Zenica as such a daunting task.
The conditions in Zenica are expected to be hostile. Recent snowfall has left the pitch damp, and a raucous home crowd is guaranteed. Gattuso was blunt about his expectations:
"I’m not asking for 'artistic football' in this environment. I just want the win."
A victory would place Italy in Group B of the World Cup alongside Qatar, Switzerland, and Canada.
Locker Room Controversy
The buildup to the match has been marred by a leaked video from the Italian dressing room. After Bosnia defeated Wales on penalties to reach the final, footage emerged showing Italian players celebrating as if they had drawn an easy opponent.
Bosnian legend Miralem Pjanić told Gazzetta dello Sport that his countrymen view Federico Dimarco’s gestures in the video as arrogance. "Bosnia is waiting to welcome Italy with open arms," Pjanić remarked, in a tone many took as a warning.
Italian legend Dino Zoff also criticized the squad’s behavior:
"It wasn't right. It only serves to motivate the opponent," the 1982 World Cup-winning captain said.
Dimarco later defended himself in a press conference, stating, "We meant no disrespect. People call us arrogant, but what is there to be arrogant about? We missed the last two World Cups."
The "Omen" and the Veteran
Adding to the tension, Italian media have pointed out a perceived "bad omen": the referee for tonight’s match is Clément Turpin.
The Frenchman was the official during Italy’s nightmare defeat to North Macedonia, which saw them miss out on the 2022 World Cup.
Bosnia, however, is focused on their own strengths—namely, the ageless Edin Džeko. The 40-year-old, who scored the crucial equalizer in the semi-final against Wales, knows Italian football intimately from his years at Roma and Inter Milan.
He will be partnered by 18-year-old Kerim Alajbegović, whose youthful energy complemented Džeko’s experience in their previous outing.
"Italy remains the favorite, even if we are playing at home," Džeko said, attempting to shift the pressure. "But winning would be incredible, not just for me, but for this new generation."
For Gattuso and Italy, the summit is in sight, but the climb remains treacherous.
