Gennaro Gattuso says he agreed to send Liverpool forward Federico Chiesa home from the Italy squad to protect their long-term relationship.
Federico Chiesa, who had previously turned down several call-ups under Gattuso during his time at Liverpool, was set for his first international appearance since 2024 after being recalled for the March break.
However, the former Juventus winger, who played the final 13 minutes of the Reds’ 2-1 defeat at Brighton on Saturday, was forced to withdraw, with the Italian FA confirming the decision on Monday.
Gattuso suggested illness was behind Chiesa’s departure. The 28-year-old also missed Liverpool’s 1-0 loss to Galatasaray in Istanbul earlier this month due to similar issues.
The Italy boss admitted that insisting Federico Chiesa stay could have damaged their long-term working relationship.
Gattuso said, “Not everyone is the same.
“Footballers’ minds aren’t all alike. When I hear he has problems, that he’s hesitant, I have to make a decision.
“We decided together because he didn’t feel up to it; he went back home, and I accepted it. I can try to convince him for a while, but I always think that in life, beyond a match, relationships matter.
“I don’t have great medical expertise, but if someone isn’t feeling well, you shouldn’t insist.
“If he ends up damaging his knee, how is that player supposed to look at me?
“So I don’t push it – I make him [Federico Chunderstand. When someone feels they’re not at 100%, it’s right that they go home.”
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