Liverpool’s Federico Chiesa and Udinese’s Nicolo Zaniolo are among the many most notable absentees from Gennaro Gattuso’s newest Italy nationwide staff squad for qualifiers towards Moldova and Norway through the November worldwide break.
No Chiesa or Zaniolo in newest Italy squad
Gattuso confirmed a squad of 27 gamers on Friday, naming a tried and examined group that included only one new call-up: Goalkeeper Elia Caprile, who’s unlikely to begin over Gianluigi Donnarumma this month.
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There had been solutions, nonetheless, that Chiesa was heading for a return to the nationwide staff set-up after an encouraging begin to the season with Liverpool.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – AUGUST 15: Federico Chiesa of Liverpool celebrates scoring his staff’s third objective through the Premier League match between Liverpool and Bournemouth at Anfield on August 15, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Picture by Michael Steele/Getty Pictures)
Chiesa has not been referred to as up for nationwide staff responsibility since Italy’s disappointing EURO 2024 exit. Since then, he has left Juventus, joined Liverpool, spent a full season ready for first-team alternatives, however has just lately impressed together with his performances in 2025-26.
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Chiesa scored his first Premier League objective in a 4-2 win over AFC Bournemouth within the opening week of the 2025-26 season, and scored once more within the English high flight in a 2-1 loss towards Crystal Palace in September.
Although all of his Premier League outings have come from the bench this season, Chiesa has already earned extra league appearances this time period than he did in the entire of 2024-25 (seven vs. six). Nonetheless, that has not been sufficient to earn a return to the Italy nationwide staff squad.
One other ahead who has impressed in latest weeks is the opinion-dividing Zaniolo, who has scored three objectives in his final 4 Serie A appearances for Udinese. These objectives have are available in a a 1-1 draw towards Cremonese, a 3-1 loss towards Juventus and an encouraging 1-0 win over Atalanta.
UDINE, ITALY – NOVEMBER 01: Nicolò Zaniolo of Udinese celebrates scoring his staff’s first objective through the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and Atalanta BC at Stadio Friuli on November 01, 2025 in Udine, Italy. (Picture by Timothy Rogers/Getty Pictures)
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Additionally absent from the most recent Italy squad is Tottenham left-back Future Udogie, who has solely began thrice within the Premier League to this point this season. The 22-year-old missed the primary few weeks of the season whereas recovering from a knee harm, however has additionally confronted robust competitors from England worldwide Djed Spence at membership degree this season.
It has additionally been a troubling time for the Spurs full-back on a private degree, following affirmation that in September.
There may be additionally no room for Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca within the newest Italy squad. The towering centre-forward has usually performed second fiddle to Rasmus Hojlund at membership degree with Napoli this season, and has been restricted to only one objective from 11 appearances acfross all competitions this season. That isn’t sufficient to get within the squad over the likes of Moise Kean, Mateo Retegui and Pio Esposito.
Italy squad for Moldova and Norway
BERGAMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 05: Gennaro Gattuso, Head Coach of Italy through the Nationwide anthems previous to the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Estonia at Stadio di Bergamo on September 05, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Picture by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Pictures)
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Goalkeepers: Elia Caprile (Cagliari), Marco Carnesecchi (Atalanta), Gianluigi Donnarumma (Manchester Metropolis), Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham).
Defenders: Alessandro Bastoni (Inter), Raoul Bellanova (Atalanta), Alessandro Buongiorno (Napoli), Riccardo Calafiori (Arsenal), Andrea Cambiaso (Juventus), Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Napoli), Federico Dimarco (Inter), Matteo Gabbia (Milan), Gianluca Mancini (Roma).
Midfielders: Nicolò Barella (Inter), Bryan Cristante (Roma), Davide Frattesi (Inter), Manuel Locatelli (Juventus), Samuele Ricci (Milan), Sandro Tonali (Newcastle).
Forwards: Francesco Pio Esposito (Inter), Moise Kean (Fiorentina), Riccardo Orsolini (Bologna), Matteo Politano (Napoli), Giacomo Raspadori (Atletico Madrid), Mateo Retegui (Al-Qadsiah), Gianluca Scamacca (Atalanta), Mattia Zaccagni (Lazio).