“Donnarumma admits tension, but Italy ready for the World Cup final.”

As Italy prepares for the decisive World Cup play-off against Bosnia, the tension is palpable and, as goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma acknowledges, it is a pressure that must be channeled in the right way. “There’s no point in denying that we feel the tension,” Donnarumma said in an interview with Sky Sport Italia. The young goalkeeper, who has become a central figure in the Italian national team, knows that what is at stake is more than just a game; it is about a legacy, about a renaissance of Italian football on the global stage.

The match, scheduled to take place at Stadion Bilino Polje in Zenica, will kick off at 19:45 UK time and promises to be a true test of the Azzurri’s resilience and preparation. The team arrives at this point after a convincing 2-0 victory over Northern Ireland, where Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean were the heroes of the night. On the other hand, Bosnia also advanced with excitement, overcoming Wales in an intense battle that ended in a 1-1 draw, followed by a thrilling penalty shootout.

Donnarumma, who is one of the most experienced players in the squad, emphasizes the importance of learning from past mistakes. “We cannot repeat the errors we made against Northern Ireland,” he warns. The goalkeeper, who has tasted the bitter disappointment of elimination in two previous World Cups, in 2018 and 2022, knows that the pressure is intense, but believes it is a positive pressure. “We are ready, we need to apply what we have trained and focus on what we do best. The rest will come as a consequence,” he asserts, exuding confidence and determination.

Anxiety is natural, especially for a group of young talents still bearing the scars of past defeats. “Every experience counts. We are a young team and it’s normal to feel a bit of anxiety, but that’s part of the sport,” Donnarumma emphasizes. He knows that the key to success lies in the correct approach to the match, avoiding the pitfalls of the past. “Tomorrow is a very important game and we need to approach it the right way,” he adds.

The goalkeeper, who has become captain of the national team, expresses genuine pride in what he has achieved with the Azzurri so far. “I feel truly proud of everything I have done with the national team up to now. There has been joy and pain, and we want to take Italy back to where it deserves to be,” he confesses. Donnarumma is determined to turn the pain of elimination into fuel for a memorable performance that brings joy not only to Italian fans but also to the team itself. “Only we know how much we have suffered for not reaching the World Cup. We need to learn from this ugly experience and put it into practice on the field tomorrow. We deserve this for everything we have done,” he concludes, with renewed hope for a bright future for Italian football.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.