Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso has admitted that “someone without blood running through their veins” wouldn`t feel nervous as the Azzuri prepare for the big World Cup qualifier.
Italy have failed to qualify for the last two World Cups and is aiming to avoid another embarrassing failure to reach the finals of the marquee event in the USA.
Before Thursday`s playoff, Gattuso confirmed that Liverpool winger has returned to England from Italy`s training camp due to an injury. The Italian coach said that Chiesa could be sidelined for a considerable amount of time and will miss Italy`s playoff match against Northern Ireland.
“It`s undeniable that there`s nervousness. Only someone without blood running through their veins wouldn`t feel it. But we need to do a good job of transmitting a lot of positivity.” Gattuso said.
Italy`s two losses to Norway in the qualifying stage has but the 2006 World Cup winners on the brink. The Azzurri need to beat Northern Ireland at home in Bergamo and then Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina away next week.
“It`s useless to think if we could have done better. The only thing we should be thinking about is Thursday`s game. Forget that we`ve won four World Cups, two Euros and an Olympic title. For us, the only game is Thursday`s.” Gattuso said.
Italy will look to avoid failing to qualify for the World Cup for the third straight time after the Azzurri were eliminated by Sweden and North Macedonia in the last two playoffs.
Italy hit with an injury crisis
Chiesa was sent back to Liverpool upon briefly rejoining the national team for the first time after an almost two-year absence. The Italian star winger has suffered injury problems during his spell at Anfield and hasn`t featured much in recent matches. Chiesa`s ambition to take Italy to the World Cup was cut short due to yet another niggle.
“He had some minor (physical) issues, and we decided that it was useless for him to stay,” Gattuso said.
Italy will also miss other key players like Sandro Tonali, Gianluca Scamacca and Alessandro Bastoni due to injury. Bologna winger Nicolo Cambiaghi has replaced Chiesa in the Italian squad
(With AP input)
