Italy faces another setback on its path to the World Cup. Gennaro Gattuso’s squad arrives at the playoffs already weakened by several key absences, and now suffers a new blow that directly impacts its attack: Federico Chiesa has been ruled out due to injury.

The Liverpool winger, who had just returned to the national team after nearly two years away, was forced to leave the training camp in Coverciano after medical staff assessed his condition. The Italian federation confirmed that he will not be available for the upcoming matches, in agreement with his club, dealing a significant setback to the ‘Azzurra’.

Italy was already dealing with important absences, as players such as Marco Verratti, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Leoni, Nicolò Rovella, and Mattia Zaccagni were sidelined with various physical issues. This situation has made squad planning increasingly difficult for Gattuso ahead of a demanding playoff stage.

Italy will face Northern Ireland in the opening match, under pressure to advance and keep their World Cup hopes alive. If successful, they would meet either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina in the decisive final for qualification.

Following Chiesa’s withdrawal, Nicolò Cambiaghi has been called up as his replacement. The Bologna winger is enjoying a solid season with four goals and six assists, and now has a chance to prove himself on a big stage. So far, he has only made one appearance for the national team, making this a crucial opportunity to establish his place.

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