NATIONS - Chiellini to miss Italy's final World Cup qualifiers due to injury

10.11.2021 21:40 of  D.B. TransferMarketWeb   see readings
NATIONS - Chiellini to miss Italy's final World Cup qualifiers due to injury
TRANSFERmarketWEB.com
© photo Matteo Gribaudi/Image Sport

After failing to recover from a thigh injury, Giorgio Chiellini was ruled out of Italy's World Cup qualifying deciders against Switzerland and Northern Ireland on Wednesday.

The captain of the European champions was among those questioned for important qualifier matches for the 2022 tournament in Qatar, but the Italian Football Federation announced on Wednesday that he will depart the national team's training camp on Wednesday.

Chiellini's absence is a major setback ahead of Friday's match against the Swiss in Rome, where both teams are trailing Group C leaders Italy on goal difference with two games remaining.

In less than 24 hours, Azzurri coach Roberto Mancini has lost both Euro 2020 legend Chiellini and starting centre-forward Ciro Immobile, and is also concerned about Inter Milan midfielder dynamo Nicolo Barella's availability.

On Monday, Italy will play Northern Ireland at Windsor Park, while Switzerland will host Bulgaria.