For Northern Ireland, playing in a smaller venue should be beneficial.
In fact, manager Michael O’Neill went as far to say he was “delighted” the game was at the New Balance Arena.
The stadium holds a similar capacity to Northern Ireland’s home ground of Windsor Park, which stands at 18,500 and also generates a passionate and vociferous atmosphere.
O’Neill pointed to the fact that the majority of his players play their club matches in stadiums between “10,000 to 25,000”, either in the Championship or in League One.
“I think we’ll feel very at home in Bergamo and we won’t be intimidated by the atmosphere at all,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“Obviously the Italians and Gennaro Gattuso have their reasons for going there as well, but we’re happy with the choice of venue. If I’m honest, I feel it suits us.”
