Liverpool forward Federico Chiesa has not made himself available for Italy’s final two World Cup qualifiers this week, coach Gennaro Gattuso said on Monday.
The Italians, who failed to qualify for the last two World Cups, travel to Moldova on Thursday, after which a showdown with group leader Norway will take place in Milan on Sunday.
Gattuso said he had no choice but to respect the players’ wishes to sit out the matches, which will determine which team automatically qualifies for the finals in North America, with the second-placed team having to play play-offs.
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«I talk to him often. We have to respect the decisions and problems that each of us has. We know well what we tell each other, and I have to respect what the player tells me. I can’t say anything else,» Gattuso told a news conference.
Gattuso gave no reason for the decision by Chiesa, who last played for Italy at the 2024 European Championship. The 28-year-old has scored twice and provided three assists in 12 games for Liverpool this season, despite limited playing time.
Norway tops Group I with 18 points, three points ahead of Italy.
Published on November 11, 2025
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