Italy Faces Pivotal World Cup Play-off Without Liverpool's Chiesa
The Italian national football team confronts a moment of immense pressure as they prepare for a crucial World Cup play-off against Northern Ireland on Thursday, with coach Gennaro Gattuso acknowledging the high stakes. In a surprising move, talented winger Federico Chiesa has been sent back to Liverpool, adding controversy to Italy's bid to avoid missing a third consecutive World Cup.
Gattuso's Candid Admission of Pressure
Gennaro Gattuso, the former midfield enforcer known for his fiery playing style, openly admitted the nerves surrounding his squad. He stated that "only someone without blood running through their veins" wouldn't feel the tension ahead of the match. Italy's recent history in World Cup qualifiers is painful, having been eliminated by Sweden and North Macedonia in the play-offs for the previous two tournaments. Now, they stand on the brink of another potential failure for the upcoming North American World Cup, following two defeats to Norway in qualifying.
To secure a spot, Italy must first overcome Northern Ireland at home in Bergamo, followed by an away fixture against either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina next week. Failure would mean a staggering 16-year absence from football's most prestigious event. Gattuso, who lifted the World Cup with Italy in 2006, was resolute: "There are no alibis. It’s useless to think if we could have done better. The only thing we should be thinking about is Thursday’s game."
Controversial Decision on Federico Chiesa
Adding a layer of controversy, Gattuso confirmed the decision to send winger Federico Chiesa back to Liverpool, despite his recent return to the national team after a nearly two-year absence. "He had some minor (physical) issues and we decided that it was useless for him to stay," Gattuso explained. This move raises eyebrows, particularly given Gattuso's earlier pledge upon taking over from Luciano Spalletti in June that injured players would remain with the squad to foster team spirit.
When questioned why other injured players like Sandro Tonali, Gianluca Scamacca, and Alessandro Bastoni were retained, Gattuso offered a nuanced response: "Because not every player has the same frame of mind. When I hear that someone is wavering that’s when I know I need to make a choice. We decided it together. He felt he wasn’t up to it and he went home. I need to accept it." Bologna winger Nicolò Cambiaghi has been called up as Chiesa's replacement. Chiesa has seen limited action since joining Liverpool two years ago, starting only one Premier League match this season.
Northern Ireland's Injury Challenges
Northern Ireland also faces its own injury challenges, with centre-back Daniel Ballard ruled out due to a hamstring injury. The Sunderland defender is one of the few with Premier League experience in the squad. Captain Conor Bradley, a Liverpool right-back, was already sidelined, adding to their difficulties ahead of the crucial match.
Team Building and Strategic Choices
Recognising the importance of cohesion, Gattuso and delegation chief Gianluigi Buffon embarked on a unique "dinner diplomacy" tour across Italy, London, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. Unable to secure a training camp, these informal gatherings aimed to build team spirit. "There was no white board or markers," Gattuso revealed. "We didn’t go to talk about football or tactics. We were there to create team unity."
The choice of Bergamo's 23,500-seat stadium for the home leg was a deliberate one, according to Gattuso, designed to cultivate a more positive atmosphere. He recalled the negative reception at the San Siro during Italy's loss to Norway in November, where "at the first errant pass you start hearing the whistles." In contrast, he noted, "when we played in Bergamo we got cheered at halftime when it was 0-0."
Mental Resilience and Broader Context
Reflecting on the Norway game, where Italy squandered a 1-0 halftime lead to lose 4-1, Gattuso emphasised mental resilience. "I really worked a lot over these months at dealing with adversity. One event shouldn’t change the dynamics of a match," he stated. "It depends on how you react and deal with it."
The football team's struggles contrast sharply with a string of recent successes for Italy in other sports, from the Winter Olympics to Formula 1, tennis, volleyball, and even baseball. "These things go in cycles," Gattuso mused. "When I see us winning in other sports it gets me motivated. It makes me feel pride. Right now our history tells us that we’re struggling. But we’ve got a big chance here to reach our goal."
Should Italy navigate these treacherous playoffs, they would find themselves in Group B at the World Cup, alongside Canada, Qatar and Switzerland, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the current turmoil.
