Donnarumma: ‘Italy feel the tension, but it’s the right kind’ for World Cup play-off
· Yahoo Sports
Gianluigi Donnarumma admits ‘there’s no point saying we don’t feel the tension’ as Italy prepare for the World Cup play-off final with Bosnia. ‘We mustn’t repeat the mistakes against Northern Ireland.’
It kicks off at the Stadion Bilino Polje in Zenica on Tuesday at 19.45 UK time and a winner will be decided after 90 minutes, extra time or even a penalty shoot-out.
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BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – SEPTEMBER 08: Sandro Tonali of Italy looks on during a Italy training session at Bozsik Stadion on September 08, 2024 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)
The Nazionale reached this final thanks to a 2-0 victory over Northern Ireland on Thursday, sealed by Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean goals.
Bosnia also played that day, needing extra time and a penalty shoot-out to get the better of Wales in Cardiff following a 1-1 draw.
Donnarumma confession as Italy fired up
BERGAMO, ITALY – MARCH 26: Manuel Locatelli, Federico Gatti and Gianluigi Donnarumma of Italy interact after the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Italy and Northern Ireland at Stadio di Bergamo on March 26, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“We are human beings, there’s no point saying we don’t feel the tension, we all want to do well and go to the World Cup, but it’s the right kind of tension,” assured Donnarumma on Sky Sport Italia.
“We’re ready, we need to do what we prepared in training, focus on what we are capable of, and the rest will come as a consequence.”
The pressure is palpable in the Azzurri camp, as they lost the World Cup play-offs for the tournaments in both 2018 and 2022.
They had been the favourites in both those ties, losing to Sweden and North Macedonia.
MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 16: Gianluigi Donnarumma of Italy warms up prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Norway at San Siro Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“Everything adds up to valuable experience. We are a young squad, it’s only natural there is some anxiety and the adrenaline is racing, but that’s part of the sport,” added Manchester City goalkeeper Donnarumma.
“Tomorrow is a very important match we need to approach in the right way. We mustn’t repeat the mistakes we made in the first half against Northern Ireland.
“The team is ready and fired up to put in a great performance so we can achieve this target.”
Donnarumma is the captain of the Azzurri squad, as he is the player with by far the most senior caps, despite being still relatively young.
“I am truly proud of everything I’ve done so far with the Nazionale. There has been joy and pain, I missed out on two World Cups, and we want to bring Italy back where it deserves to be.
“Only we know how much we suffered at not getting to the World Cup, so we need to learn from that ugly experience and put it all onto the pitch tomorrow. We want to bring joy to all Italians, but also to ourselves, because I feel we deserve it for all that we’ve been doing.”