Gattuso: Chiesa out by choice, playing for Italy means giving your all | OneFootball

First day of training camp for Italy. In Coverciano, the Azzurri will prepare for the matches against Moldova, away on November 13, and the one on Sunday, November 16, against Norway at San Siro. Two matches that Gennaro Gattuso presented in a press conference.

Italy, Gattuso: “Chiesa absent by personal choice, but whoever wears the blue must give everything”

Gennaro Gattuso's Italy gathered in Coverciano to prepare for the last two decisive matches of the 2026 World Cup qualifying group. The Azzurri will face Moldova on November 13 in Chisinau and Norway on November 16 in Milan, in a double commitment that could conclude the qualification discussion.

In the press conference, the head coach immediately wanted to clarify the approach with which the National team will face this international window: “It won't be a picnic. We are not here for seven-eight days to stroll around,” Gattuso declared. “I want maximum commitment from everyone. These are official matches and we wear the blue jersey: this should be enough to give everything. In the first game, those who have had less playing time will play, then we will change something. But the goal remains the same: to be ready and focused on ourselves, not on the opponents.”

Strategies and formations: two teams, two tactical setups

Gattuso confirmed that Italy will present itself with two different formations in the two matches: “When a team manages to interpret multiple game systems, it is an advantage. In the two matches, you will see two formations with two different setups.”

The former Milan coach reiterated the desire to give continuity to the work started in recent months, valuing those who have closely followed the technical project: “People like Zaniolo, Palestra, and others have shown interesting things. Choices are made with criteria. I like working with those who have been here for a long time, but the doors of Coverciano remain open for everyone.”

The Chiesa case: “Absent by his choice, I respect his decisions”

A question about Federico Chiesa, a major absentee from this training camp, could not be missed. Gattuso clarified firmly but without controversy: “I often talk with Chiesa. We must respect everyone's choices and personal situations. I know what we discussed, and I respect what he confided in me. He is absent by his choice, I cannot add anything else.”

Future prospects and a tight schedule

Looking to the future, Gattuso expressed concern about the tight timelines separating the National team from the March 2026 playoffs: “Advancing the last day of the championship is not possible. We worked four-five days on an intense program, but the schedules are full. Perhaps we can find a space in February for a mini-training camp of a couple of days, but it will be complicated.”

The coach then explained how he intends to maintain contact with the players: “It is up to us to be present, to visit the guys, to talk to them, maybe even over dinner. The management must be continuous, not only during the training camps.”

Gattuso finally thanked the Serie A League for their availability, while admitting the logistical difficulties: “The League is giving us a hand, but it is a complex situation. We are only at the eleventh day of the championship and we will find ourselves at the thirtieth: it is a lot of time, but we must adapt.”

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.