Gennaro Gattuso and Federico Chiesa Clash in an Epic Rivalry!

Italy recently returned from an international break that featured a crucial win against Moldova but ended with a heavy defeat to Norway, leaving the nation in doubt. As a direct consequence, the Azzurri will face a tense playoff against Northern Ireland in March to secure their spot for the 2026 World Cup. In this climate of uncertainty, one name frequently arises in discussions: Federico Chiesa. Still absent from Gennaro Gattuso’s squad, despite the team’s need for a player of his caliber, the Liverpool winger remains a mystery: “We had a lengthy discussion with Federico, and he knows my thoughts on him, but we must also respect the player’s perspective: he doesn’t feel 100% and has issues to address. There’s no secret or scandal,” the former Marseille coach stated in October. Ironically, his club season started positively with two impressive goals against Bournemouth and Crystal Palace, alongside three assists in the Premier League and Carabao Cup.

After a summer filled with rumors and uncertainties, Chiesa appeared to regain his momentum. However, Gattuso prioritized caution. As long as the player didn’t feel mentally and physically ready, he refused to rush his return. Lately, Gattuso seems frustrated with Chiesa’s stance: “I speak with him often, and we must respect everyone’s decisions and issues. I know what we discuss; I must respect what the player tells me. I can’t say more, that’s the truth. Yes, yes… It’s easy to understand,” Gattuso explained a few days ago. Is it a firm decision from Gattuso, or is the player unwilling to join? It’s hard to discern. The coach’s strict position, following the crisis under Luciano Spalletti, fuels heated debates, as the Italian team clearly lacks players who can make a difference in one-on-one situations. Against Norway, Nusa’s talent again exposed the Azzurri’s issues, including slow transitions, unpredictability, and lack of drive. None of Orsolini, Zaccagni, or Politano possess the explosive talent Chiesa has during crucial moments.

Chiesa Essential for Italy

Gennaro Gattuso has only four months to prepare for a potentially decisive playoff, knowing that players like Chiesa are rare and removing a key offensive player from an already fragile project poses a significant risk: “Will he be there? Keep asking me, but it’s not my decision. It’s up to him. The issue lies with Chiesa, you’re well aware of that. I always call him, I talk to him before the selections, but the problem isn’t that Gattuso doesn’t see him. The issue is him,” Gattuso reiterated during the World Cup playoff draw on Thursday. Gianluigi Buffon, head of the Italian delegation, seems to share a similar view: “We must recover all our best players: if any stand out, there’s no reason to hold them back, especially since we need him. We’re waiting for Chiesa because there are few like him in Europe. But Rino hasn’t sidelined any deserving players. I repeat, the collective matters….” This sense of urgency triggers collective memories, as Chiesa was once the spark that led Italy to the European title in 2021, shining as the offensive leader with his goals and character. However, recent seasons have been marked by injuries at Juventus and adaptation struggles at Liverpool. The winger seems to teeter between two worlds: a Premier League that offers space but little security, and a Serie A he observes from afar, sometimes with nostalgia. His appearances remain occasional, and his confidence is still fragile.

Yet, with each flash of brilliance on English soil, Italy clings to the hope that they still have a player who can single-handedly alter the outcome of a match. The pressing question, which fuels discussions in Turin, Rome, and London: what will Federico Chiesa decide by January? And most importantly, what will Gattuso do? Italy, under pressure after missing two consecutive World Cups, cannot afford another failure. The playoff against Northern Ireland looms like a sword of Damocles over the Nazionale: “Northern Ireland is a physical team with a strong mentality. We need to be competitive; we knew this. We understand our objective and that we must improve. They are well within our reach, and we can challenge them in a single match. They are physically strong and excel at winning second balls. It will require a significant performance, but we can compete. A potential final against Wales or Bosnia? First, we must focus on the match against Northern Ireland, where everything is at stake. Then we’ll see; that would be two completely different contexts. But for now, we won’t discuss that,” the coach emphasized. In this scenario, the relationship between Chiesa and Gattuso resembles a silent power struggle. On one side, a convinced and impatient coach publicly reaching out to Chiesa, and on the other, an entire country believing that their most talented winger is crucial. The future of the Azzurri may very well depend on this reconciliation. In an Italy that lacks vitality, a single dribble from Federico Chiesa could be enough to change the course of history.