Buffon: Italy Are 'Waiting' for Chiesa as Gattuso Wins Backing Before Play-Offs

Overview

• Italy delegation chief Gianluigi Buffon said the Azzurri are waiting for Federico Chiesa to return, stressing that the collective remains the priority.
• Chiesa has not featured for Italy since June 2024 and has declined recent call-ups, with coach Gennaro Gattuso saying he contacts the winger every time and that Chiesa has a problem to resolve.
• The World Cup play-off draw set a semifinal against Northern Ireland on March 26, 2026, with an away final against Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina on March 30 for the winner.
• Buffon rejected what he called prejudice against Gattuso, describing him as the right coach and praising ideas such as the double centre-forward.
• Gattuso seeks Serie A scheduling concessions for March preparations, while Buffon urges resilience and notes planned youth-development reforms with Cesare Prandelli could be scrapped if qualification is missed.