In the semi-finals of the European play-offs of the World Cup preliminaries, Italy and Northern Ireland met. After the draw was announced, Northern Ireland coach Michael O'Neill spoke about the rivalry.

He said: "We must make the game as difficult as possible for the Italian team, who themselves are already burdened with huge expectations and attention. If we can increase their pressure through performance in the game, then anything is possible. We have a chance to participate in the World Cup and must do everything we can to seize it. I will tell the players, 'This is really not to be missed.'"

"The Italian team now is no longer the one 8 years ago, and not all players are burdened with the pressure of failing in the play-offs in the past. As a country, they have this pressure on them and the fans expect the team to make it to the World Cup. Moreover, the Italian team has won four championships and is one of the strongest players in world football. But these things are beyond our control. We only need to focus on ourselves.

"Away against Italy will be a big game and a good experience for us. The expectations and pressure on the Italian team are very high and we need to take advantage of that. I know they lost to Norway both home and away and most of the players are from Serie A. Gennaro Gattuso is their coach now, so you can expect they will be full of passion.

"We have four months to prepare for this game, study the opponent carefully and the preparation has actually started. Of course, we might have preferred to draw other opponents in Pot One, but to get to the World Cup you have to beat two strong opponents. "