Chiesa, Pellegrini drop out of Italy's Euro 2024 qualifiers

Federico Chiesa has dropped out of Italy's Euro 2024 qualifiers against North Macedonia and Ukraine with injury alongside Roma midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini, the country's football federation said on Friday.

In a statement, the FIGC said that both players had suffered unspecified "muscle problems" and would be returning to their clubs.

Chiesa has had a long history of injuries but Italian media report that the Juventus forward has not sustained anything serious.

The 25-year-old has had a strong start to the Serie A season, scoring in two of Juve's three league matches.

Italy take on North Macedonia on Saturday for one of two Group C matches which could decide their fate for next summer's tournament in Germany, where they are aiming to defend their Euro crown.

Italy currently sit third on three points, nine behind England who have played two games more and more importantly three away from Ukraine.

North Macedonia knocked Italy out of the most recent World Cup in a stunning qualifying play-off defeat in March last year.