Italy’s national coach has called up 28 players for the upcoming play-offs. With Federico Chiesa, one well-known player is back in the squad.
It’s been a while since Liverpool pro Federico Chiesa made an appearance for the Squadra Azzurra. The 28-year-old was in the starting line-up for the 2-0 defeat against Switzerland in the 2024 European Championship round of 16, but since then the winger has been sidelined. It was an unsuccessful tournament for Italy – but now even participation in the next major event is at stake.
In order to jump on the World Cup bandwagon, Italy must first get rid of Northern Ireland in the play-off semi-final next Thursday and then meet the winner of the semi-final between Wales and Bosnia away from home in the final. Two wins are therefore essential if the runners-up in World Cup qualifying Group I are to book their place. Otherwise, Italy could face a third consecutive World Cup without a ticket.
The four-time world champions still have to worry about their key player Sandro Tonali. The Newcastle United midfielder suffered a hip injury in the 7-2 defeat to FC Barcelona in the Champions League, but Eddie Howe’s words on Friday give the Italians hope. “We’ll have to wait and see with Sandro. Maybe it’s not as bad as we initially feared,” said the Magpies coach.
Gattuso is definitely keeping a place in the squad open for Tonali. Cagliari defender Marco Palestra (21) has been called up for the first time, while Tottenham’s Guglielmo Vicario is not in the squad.
Italy’s squad at a glance
Goal: Elia Caprile (Cagliari), Marco Carnesecchi (Atalanta), Gianluigi Donnarumma (Manchester City), Alex Meret (Napoli)
Defense: Alessandro Bastoni (Inter), Alessandro Buongiorno (Napoli), Riccardo Calafiori (Arsenal FC), Andrea Cambiaso (Juventus), Diego Coppola (Paris FC), Federico Dimarco (Inter), Federico Gatti (Juventus), Gianluca Mancini (Roma), Marco Palestra (Cagliari), Giorgio Scalvini (Atalanta), Leonardo Spinazzola (Napoli)
Midfield: Nicolo Barella (Inter), Bryan Cristante (AS Roma), Davide Frattesi (Inter), Manuel Locatelli (Juventus), Niccolo Pisilli (AS Roma), Sandro Tonali (Newcastle)
Attack: Federico Chiesa (Liverpool), Francesco Pio Esposito (Inter), Moise Kean (Florence), Matteo Politano (Napoli), Giacomo Raspadori (Atalanta), Mateo Retegui (Al-Qadisiya), Gianluca Scamacca (Atalanta).
