Gattuso confirms: Chiesa again declined invitation to Italy

He once again declined a call-up to the national team, as confirmed by Gennaro Gattuso.

The likelihood that Italy will once again have to go through the playoffs to participate in a major tournament is quite high. In World Cup qualifying Group I, the Azzurri are three points behind Norway, who also have a goal difference that is 16 goals better.

The personnel situation is further complicating the work of national coach Gennaro Gattuso, who only had twelve of the 27 nominated players available for Monday’s training session in Coverciano. Ten outfield players and two goalkeepers trained on the pitch – and a new concern immediately emerged. According to multiple Italian media reports, striker Giacomo Raspadori of Atletico Madrid left the pitch during the session and did not return for the remainder of the training session.

Italy faces Moldova in Chisinau on Thursday, followed by a clash with Norway, led by Erling Haaland, at the San Siro on Sunday evening (both matches at 8:45 p.m. CET, LIVE! on kicker).

Federico Chiesa will once again be unavailable. One of the 2021 European champions hasn’t played an international match in over a year. His last appearance was on June 29th in front of nearly 70,000 spectators at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium, when Italy deservedly lost to Switzerland (0-2) in the round of 16 of the European Championship.

Liverpool’s Player of the Month for September

Since then, Chiesa has primarily been battling his own form. In August 2024, the striker, who had been released by Juventus, signed a four-year contract with Liverpool. His first season with the Reds was one to forget, partly due to persistent injury problems. This season, he only started twice in the League Cup, the limited significance of which manager Arne Slot emphasized after their recent elimination.

Liverpool’s Player of the Month for September As a substitute, however, Chiesa certainly proved his worth; two goals and three assists in twelve competitive matches represented a solid start to the season. And although he doesn’t start regularly for Liverpool, fans even voted him the best player of the month for September.

But why is Chiesa once again unavailable to Italy during this crucial international break? “I speak with him often,” Gattuso explained at a press conference on Monday. “We have to respect everyone’s decisions and concerns. We know exactly what we say to each other, and I have to respect what the player tells me. I can’t say any more than that.”

“I’m explaining this for the fourth or fifth time now.”

When reporters wanted to confirm that it was Chiesa’s decision not to play and not Gattuso’s decision not to include him, the former defensive midfielder hinted that it wasn’t the first time Chiesa had declined his services. “Yes—and I’m explaining this for the fourth or fifth time now.”