Italy's Chiesa and Pellegrini set to miss international action due to injuries

Chiesa and Lorenzo Pellegrini were told to go home after fitness issue

In two upcoming Euro 2024 qualifying matches, Italy will make their debut under new manager Luciano Spalletti against North Macedonia and Ukraine.

Chiesa and Pellegrini both enjoyed successful starts to the season with their respective clubs and wanted to play for Spalletti's Italy during this international break, but both had to pull out after experiencing problems in training.

As of right now, Federico Chiesa and Lorenzo Pellegrini have left the Italy team and won't be playing in the games against North Macedonia and Ukraine, as was revealed today. Prior to the reopening of Serie A the following week, both will head back to their respective teams for rehab.

As a result, Spalletti will need to hastily reconsider his preparations for the Azzurri before his first game in command on Saturday night. Both athletes were anticipated to appear in the upcoming contests.

Spalletti took over for Roberto Mancini, who abruptly resigned last month to take charge of Saudi Arabia's national team after leading Napoli to the Serie A title the previous year. Due to injuries sustained during training on Friday, Federico Chiesa and Lorenzo Pellegrini will be absent for Spalletti.

The Azzurri have three points after their first two games, but they are still in last place behind England (12 points) and Ukraine (6 points), who will face off in Wroclaw, Poland. Ukraine continues to play its home matches away from home owing to the war with Russia.

Chiesa, a Juventus attacker, was expected to start in the 4-3-3 formation but withdrew after hurting his muscle during practice.

Pellegrini, a midfielder for Roma, has also withdrawn after missing yesterday's practice due to physical discomfort.

Having Ciro Immobile, Matteo Politano, and Zaccagni partnering fellow Lazio player Ciro Immobile up front, it consequently is expected that it will be a predominantly Lazio trio.