Italy have booked their spot in the World Cup play-off final, and the Azzurri boast an impressive head-to-head record against their upcoming opponents, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
How have Italy previously fared against Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Italy is the highest ranked nation that does not have a place at the 2026 World Cup wrapped up. Gennaro Gattuso’s side finished second in their World Cup qualifying group behind Norway, which condemned them to the play-offs for the third tournament cycle in a row.
The Azzurri fell short at this stage heading into the two previous World Cups. They have not qualified since 2014 and have not played a knock-out game at the tournament since beating France to claim the trophy in the 2006 final.
Second-half goals from Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean sealed a 2-0 victory at home against Northern Ireland in Thursday evening’s play-off semi-final, which has set up a final date with Bosnia away from home on Tuesday evening.
Since the inception of the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team in 1995, Italy have faced them six times: Twice in friendlies, twice in qualifying for EURO 2020 and twice in the 2020-21 Nations League campaign.
Italy have won four of their six previous meetings against Bosnia, have drawn one and lost one.
Italy’s only ever loss against Bosnia came in their first meeting 30 years ago, which was an international friendly on November 6, 1996 and ended 2-1 in favour of the hosts. Enrico Chiesa scored Italy’s only goal that game, assisted by Gianfranco Zola.
The other five meetings between Italy and Bosnia have all come within the last seven years.
Italy won 2-1 at home and 3-0 away when the two nations met in qualifying for EURO 2020. The Azzurri were held to a 1-1 draw at home, but beat Bosnia 2-0 away during the 2020-21 Nations League campaign, and Italy were also 1-0 victors when the two sides met in a friendly just before EURO 2024 two summers ago. Davide Frattesi provided the only goal of the game on that occasion.
History means nothing and they cant take for granted that its Bosnia instead of Wales. They are very good at home and we never play Balkan teams well. They have to be way more aggressive if they have any change but not holding my breath for that , its more of the same cross cross cross and hope someone gets on it
This Bosnian team is not a fluke. They are much better than last we played them and have a real team with a great spirit and mix of young talents and expirience players with Dzeko in frontline. They are very strong at home and it wont be easy and to be honest I am a bit afraid that Italy can fall short in Zenica. Like @Tom says cross cross cross wont cut it and Bosnians are not clueless North Ireland.
Quite true Tom and Walter. Italians also bring unnecessary pressure on themselves by acting stupidly and insulting Bisnia after their penalty shootout win.
Gattuso has instructed them to remain confident yet humble. He NEVER instructed them to portray ARROGANCE@
Italians NEVER learn!