ROME (AP) — If Italy is going to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 12 years, the "Azzurri" (Azzurri) defenders will have to stop striker Edin Dzeko, whom they respect and know well.
Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko played with all three Italian defenders in his club.
Dzeko played with Gianluca Mancini and Riccardo Calafiori when he was in Rome from 2015-21. Then, Dzeko's teammate at Inter Milan, where the team reached the 2023 Champions League final, was Alessandro Bastoni.
Italy and Inter winger Federico Di Marco has been in contact with Dzeko to congratulate him on winning the penalty shootout against Wales, which set up the playoff final between Bosnia and Wales on Tuesday.
Dzeko's headed equalizer in the second half against Wales was his 73rd goal for Bosnia. At 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 meters) tall, Dzeko stands out in the air - where Italian defenders often struggle.
"Dzeko is a great player and a great person," Di Marco said. "I saw him during the summer break and we kept a good relationship."
Di Marco will have to forget the relationship, however, as Italy is desperate to avoid missing out on the World Cup for the third consecutive time.
Italy was eliminated in the last two World Cup playoffs by Sweden and North Macedonia.
Last week, Italy beat Northern Ireland 2-0 in the European playoff semifinals.
Other playoff finals on Tuesday are: Sweden against Poland; Turkey against Kosovo; and Denmark against the Czech Republic.
Bosnia chose to host the playoff final at the 14,000-seat Bilino Polje Stadium in Zenica, which is surrounded by residential buildings overlooking the field.
FIFA punished Bosnia for discrimination and racist abuse during a game against Romania in November, so the stadium's capacity will be reduced by 20%.
Italy is concerned about the state of the pitch at the stadium in Bosnia because of recent snowfall.
"We are expecting a tough atmosphere," Di Marco said. "But if we can maintain the right mindset for 95 minutes, I think we will get the result."
Italian coach Gianro Gattuso added: "If it's in bad condition, it's bad for them too. It's a weakness to find excuses. I think the pitch is sufficient. What's most important is our mental approach and attitude."
Bosnia used video footage of Italian players celebrating their victory over Wales, as if they thought Bosnia was a weaker opponent than Wales.
"It was an instinctive reaction," Di Marco said. "I really didn't insult Bosnia or the Bosnians."
The referee for the match in Bosnia will be Clement Turpin from France, who also refereed when Italy lost 1-0 to North Macedonia in a home playoff semifinal four years ago.
"We all have our preferences. Mine wasn't to referee against Italy," Dzeko said on Monday. "If they're scared of playing Wales, something's wrong. Maybe they'll struggle even more in this match because they're trying to make up for two World Cups they missed. That means they're scared."
Di Marco has been a consistent force on the left wing for league-leading Inter Milan this season with six goals and 15 assists.
The only World Cup he has played in was the 2017 edition for youngsters, when Italy finished third with a goal from Di Marco in the quarterfinals.
"I've always said that goals and assists don't matter if they don't help the team achieve results," Di Marco said.
Italy's attack gained momentum in the second half against Northern Ireland when 20-year-old Piacchio Esposito replaced Matteo Retegui. Esposito may now start in place of Retegui alongside Moise Keane in Bosnia.
Di Marco also plays with Esposito at Inter.
"He's a special kid," Di Marco said. "He's mature for his age and always gives 100% - in games and in training. ... We just need to leave him alone and not put too much pressure on him."
There's pressure on Italy because no one under 15 has a memory of the last World Cup in which the "Azzurri" played. The 2-1 loss to Uruguay in 2014 in Brazil is mostly remembered for Luis Suarez biting Giorgio Chiellini on the shoulder.
Just ask right winger Matteo Politano, who has won two Italian league titles with Napoli but is still 32 years old and has never played in a World Cup.
"We all know why we're playing," Politano said. "For me and the senior players, this is probably our last chance."
This story has been corrected to show that Bosnia was fined by FIFA, not UEFA, for stadium capacity reduction.
