Liverpool winger Chiesa pulls out of Italy squad as Gattuso calls replacement
Liverpool winger Federico Chiesa has already left Italy’s training ground and won’t be available for the World Cup play-off, being replaced by Bologna’s Nicolò Cambiaghi.
Chiesa unavailable for Italy’s World Cup play-off
La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Liverpool winger Chiesa won’t be available for Italy’s World Cup play-off this week as the 28-year-old has already left the Azzurri’s training ground in Coverciano, Florence.
Chiesa was included in the Italy squad for the first time in nearly two years, but according to the report, he left Coverciano on Monday morning and will be replaced by Bologna’s Cambiaghi.
It remains unclear whether Chiesa has suffered an injury or pulled out of the squad for other reasons, especially given that he had previously declined the chance to play for the Azzurri under Gennaro Gattuso.
There are more injury concerns in the Azzurri squad. Roma’s Gianluca Mancini suffered an injury during a Serie A match against Lecce on Sunday.
Inter’s Alessandro Bastoni has missed the last two matches at a club level due to a bruised fibula, while Atalanta’s Gianluca Scamacca has suffered an adductor injury and was not available for La Dea’s Serie A match against Verona on Sunday.
Contrary to Chiesa, however, all three players are still in Coverciano to be assessed by the national team doctors.
Today, Gattuso will hold a press conference at 14:00 CET (13:00 GMT).