Federico Chiesa Italy Call-up Highlights Gennaro Gattuso’s 28-Man Playoff Squad

Liverpool forward Federico Chiesa returns to the Italy squad for the first time in nearly two years ahead of a critical World Cup playoff against Northern Ireland.

Gennaro Gattuso has officially finalized a 28-man roster for the upcoming FIFA World Cup playoffs, headlined by the return of Liverpool forward Federico Chiesa for the first time in nearly two years. Italy is scheduled to host Northern Ireland this Thursday at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo, a match that serves as a do-or-die semifinal. A victory in this opening fixture would propel the Azzurri into a final playoff showdown five days later against the winner of the match between Wales and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Failure to secure passage through these two hurdles would result in Italy missing a third consecutive World Cup, extending their absence from the global stage to a minimum of 16 years.

The Federico Chiesa Italy call-up marks a significant milestone for the 28-year-old attacker, who has not featured for the national team since the Euro 2024 round of 16 exit against Switzerland. Since his high-profile transfer from Juventus to Liverpool in August 2024, the former Fiorentina star has found playing time scarce at Anfield, managing only a single Premier League start under Arne Slot. Despite these domestic struggles, Gattuso is banking on the experience of a player who earned 51 international caps and served as a primary catalyst during Italy’s successful Euro 2021 campaign. His inclusion provides a tactical boost to an offensive unit that has often lacked clinical finishing in high-stakes qualification matches.

Defensive reinforcements are a priority in this selection, with Cagliari’s Marco Palestra receiving his maiden senior international call-up. The young defender is joined by Atalanta’s Giorgio Scalvini, who returns to the national setup following a 24-month absence due to injury and form. Niccolò Pisilli of Roma also makes his comeback after two years away from the senior squad. The backline is anchored by Alessandro Bastoni of Inter Milan and Arsenal’s Riccardo Calafiori, while Napoli contributes a significant trio in Alessandro Buongiorno, Leonardo Spinazzola, and goalkeeper Alex Meret. This defensive core must prevent a repeat of the defensive lapses that saw Italy stunned by North Macedonia in the previous playoff cycle.

In the goalkeeping department, Gianluigi Donnarumma of Manchester City remains the undisputed number one choice. He leads a four-man group of keepers that includes Elia Caprile of Cagliari and Marco Carnesecchi of Atalanta. The defensive depth is further bolstered by Juventus duo Federico Gatti and Andrea Cambiaso, alongside Gianluca Mancini of Roma and Federico Dimarco of Inter. A notable inclusion is Diego Coppola, currently representing Paris FC, who provides an alternative option in the center of the defense. Gattuso has opted for a blend of youth and veteran leadership to navigate the psychological pressure of the Bergamo fixture.

The midfield engine room features a heavy Inter Milan influence, with Nicolò Barella and Davide Frattesi expected to dictate the tempo of play. They are joined by Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali, who continues his reintegration into the national team. Manuel Locatelli represents the Juventus contingent in the middle of the park, while Bryan Cristante offers a more physical, defensive presence for the Giallorossi. This group is tasked with providing service to a diverse attacking line that includes Al-Qadsiah’s Mateo Retegui, who has been in prolific form in the Saudi Pro League.

Atalanta’s Gianluca Scamacca and Giacomo Raspadori provide Gattuso with familiar options in the final third, particularly given the match is being held at their home stadium. Francesco Pio Esposito of Inter and Moise Kean, who has revitalized his career at Fiorentina, offer additional physical presence up front. Napoli’s Matteo Politano rounds out the attacking selections, providing width and crossing ability. Italy enters this playoff series haunted by the ghosts of 2018 and 2022, where they were eliminated by Sweden and North Macedonia respectively. The four-time world champions are under immense scrutiny to avoid a historic third straight failure.

The tactical setup for the Northern Ireland clash is expected to utilize the high-pressing style Gattuso has implemented since taking the helm. With the match taking place in Bergamo, the atmosphere will be intense as the Azzurri look to avoid the pitfalls of previous qualification campaigns. The inclusion of players like Scalvini and Palestra suggests a willingness to integrate fresh talent into a squad that has struggled with stagnation. Every player in the 28-man list has been selected based on their ability to handle the specific physical demands of a playoff environment, where technical skill often takes a backseat to mental resilience and work rate.

Goalkeepers: Elia Caprile (Cagliari), Marco Carnesecchi (Atalanta), Gianluigi Donnarumma (Manchester City), Alex Meret (Napoli).

Defenders: Alessandro Bastoni (Inter), Alessandro Buongiorno (Napoli), Riccardo Calafiori (Arsenal), 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).

Midfielders: Nicolò Barella (Inter), Bryan Cristante (Roma), Davide Frattesi (Inter), Manuel Locatelli (Juventus), Niccolò Pisilli (Roma), Sandro Tonali (Newcastle).

Forwards: Federico Chiesa (Liverpool), Francesco Pio Esposito (Inter), Moise Kean (Fiorentina), Matteo Politano (Napoli), Giacomo Raspadori (Atalanta), Mateo Retegui (Al-Qadsiah), Gianluca Scamacca (Atalanta).