World Cup play-off: Italy vs. Northern Ireland - probable line-ups, where to watch on TV

Alessandro Bastoni is expected to feature in Italy’s XI in the World Cup play-off semi-final against Northern Ireland, with Mateo Retegui and Moise Kean starting in attack.

It kicks off at 20:45 CET (19:45 GMT) at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo.

Advertisement

It’s a massive night for the Azzurri, who have not played in the World Cup since 2014.

Inter star Bastoni has missed the last two games at a club level with a bruised fibula, but Italian media report that the defender has recovered and will start in a three-man backline alongside Gianluca Mancini and Riccardo Calafiori.

Several Italian sources, including Gazzetta and Corriere dello Sport, report that Matteo Politano is favourite over Marco Palestra in the right wing-back position, while Sandro Tonali, Nicolò Barella and Manuel Locatelli will start in central midfield.

Kean and Retegui will start in attack, with Francesco Pio Esposito initially on the bench.

Advertisement

The winner will face Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina away in the Final on Tuesday, March 31.

Italy vs. Northern Ireland – where to watch on TV

The match will be broadcast live on the BBC in the UK and Ireland. It is also available in a livestream on FUBO/Vix in the USA. Football Italia will provide live updates via a liveblog

Italy vs. Northern Ireland – probable line-ups

Italy (3-5-2): Donnarumma; Mancini, Bastoni, Calafiori; Politano, Barella, Locatelli, Tonali, Dimarco; Kean, Retegui.

Click here to read article