Italy's hopes of a third consecutive World Cup finals appearance have been dealt a blow with the country's football federation (FIGC) announcing that Liverpool forward Federico Chiesa will not be considered for the coming two matches. The 28-year-old's latest injury has left him unavailable for the semifinal against Northern Ireland and a potential final against Wales or Bosnia-Hercegovina. Chiesa's absence is a significant loss for the Azzurri, given his impressive form in the past, including a starring role in Italy's Euro 2020 triumph.
Italy's injury woes continue to mount, with Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni and Atalanta striker Gianluca Scamacca also struggling to shake off knocks ahead of Thursday's crucial match. Bologna's Nicolo Cambiaghi has been called up to replace Chiesa, but it remains to be seen whether he can make a significant impact in the play-offs.
The stakes are high for Italy, who face Northern Ireland in Bergamo desperate to avoid missing out on a World Cup finals spot. Italy's recent form has been inconsistent, and they will need to raise their game if they are to overcome the challenge posed by Northern Ireland.
Federico Chiesa's injury is a significant blow for Italy, but it's also a reminder of the team's reliance on individual stars. With Chiesa out, the onus will be on Nicolo Cambiaghi to step up and make a difference in the play-offs. Italy's title hopes are now hanging by a thread, and they will need to dig deep to overcome Northern Ireland and stay in the World Cup qualification picture.
