Italy coach Gattuso says ‘no alibi’ for World Cup play-offs as he sends Chiesa home in apparent split

Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso acknowledged that only “someone without blood in their veins” would not feel nervous as the Azzurri try to avoid failing to qualify for a third successive World Cup.

Ahead of Thursday’s play-off match against Northern Ireland, Gattuso – who remains as feisty and gritty as he was when he played in the Italy team that won the country’s fourth World Cup in 2006 – also suggested he would send home talented winger Federico Chiesa in what could amount to a final break with the standout player of the European Championship trophy five years ago.

“There is no denying that there is nervousness,” Gattuso said on Monday. «Only someone without blood running through their veins wouldn’t feel it. But we have to do a good job of conveying a lot of positivity.»

However, positivity is not what describes Italy’s performance in the play-offs for the last two World Cups, as the Azzurri were knocked out by Sweden and North Macedonia respectively.

Two defeats against Norway in the qualifying group for the upcoming tournament in North America puts Italy back in the same phase.

The Azzurri now have to beat Northern Ireland at home in Bergamo and away next week either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina to avoid not playing a match at football’s biggest event for at least 16 years.

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“There are no alibis,” Gattuso said. «There is no point in thinking whether we could have done better. The only thing we have to think about is Thursday’s match. Forget that we have won four World Cups, two Euros and an Olympic title. For us, the only match is Thursday.»

“All the players here today know what we are playing for and how important it is.”

Chiesa was sent back to Liverpool after briefly rejoining the national team for the first time after an absence of almost two years.

“He had some minor (physical) problems and we decided it was useless for him to stay,” Gattuso said.

But why do other injured players such as Sandro Tonali, Gianluca Scamacca and Alessandro Bastoni remain with the team? Especially after Gattuso, when taking over from the sacked Luciano Spalletti in June, announced that injured players would remain with the squad to improve team spirit.

“Because not every player has the same state of mind,” Gattuso said. «When I hear someone has doubts, I know I have to make a choice. We decided it together. He felt he couldn’t handle it and went home. I have to accept it.»

Bologna winger Nicolò Cambiaghi was called up to replace Chiesa.

Chiesa has played sparingly since joining Liverpool from Juventus two years ago and has played just one Premier League game this season.

Northern Ireland also lost a key player on Monday when centre-back Daniel Ballard was ruled out with an injured hamstring. The Sunderland player is one of the few with Premier League experience in the Northern Ireland team.

Published on March 23, 2026