Italy legend Zola joins BBC Sport NI for crucial World Cup play-off coverage

 

Northern Ireland’s crucial World Cup play-off semi-final against Italy will be live across BBC Sport NI this Thursday (March 26).

Former Italy and Chelsea legend, Gianfranco Zola, will join BBC Sport NI’s expert team of pundits and analysts that include former internationals Stuart Dallas and Stephen Craigan alongside one of the heroes of Northern Ireland’s ’82 World Cup Finals campaign, Gerry Armstrong, for the TV coverage.

The game will be available on BBC iPlayer, BBC One Northern Ireland, the BBC Sport website and BBC Three from 7pm for the 7.45pm kick-off.

Fans can also listen live on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle and on the BBC Sport website from 7.30pm.

There will also be a special preview show on the eve of the game on Wednesday (March 25) from Bergamo, available on BBC iPlayer and on the BBC Sport NI website from 7pm giving fans the chance to soak up the atmosphere in the city ahead of one of the biggest games for Michael O’Neill’s side.

Stephen Watson will be joined by the team of analysts and pundits looking at all the big talking points and meeting some of the fans who have travelled to the game.

Stephen Watson is back for the live coverage of the game on Thursday evening at 7pm as Northern Ireland look to take a step closer to their first World Cup Finals in 40 years but will have to advance against the home side who are four-time winners of the competition.

Watch the game live on:

BBC iPlayer, BBC One NI, BBC Three and the BBC Sport website from 7pm.

Listen to live commentary of the game on:

BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle and the BBC Sport website from 7:30pm