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NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – AUGUST 25: Federico Chiesa of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Liverpool at St James’ Park on August 25, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
Liverpool winger Federico Chiesa has attracted criticism in Italy as the 28-year-old pulled out of the Azzurri national team for the World Cup play-off, but will be available for Liverpool this weekend.
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Several fans on X have criticised Chiesa after Liverpool coach Arne Slot announced the Italian winger would be available for an FA Cup against Manchester City today, Italian sources, including Gazzetta, Repubblica and Corriere della Sera, report.
Chiesa, a former Juventus and Fiorentina star, had been included in the Italy squad for the World Cup play-off two weeks ago, but pulled out of the team before even taking part in his first training session with the national team.
Chiesa has not played for Italy since the 2024 Euros.
The FIGC and Gennaro Gattuso explained that Chiesa was not fit to feature for the Azzurri, but the Nazionale boss, who has now resigned, also added that Chiesa once again didn’t feel ready to play for the national team, so he returned to his club during the March break.
Other players who were not fit or even injured still joined the Azzurri; among them were Guglielmo Vicario and Gianluca Scamacca.
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Read more – Chiesa is not fully fit, but it’s not the only reason why he pulled out of the Italy squad
ByLorenzo Bettoni
Lorenzo Bettoni is the Editor of Football Italia.
