Liverpool forward Federico Chiesa has made himself unavailable for Italy's final two World Cup qualifiers this week, coach Gennaro Gattuso said on Monday.

The Italians, who failed to qualify for the last two World Cups, travel to face Moldova on Thursday before a showdown with group leaders Norway in Milan on Sunday.

Gattuso said he had no choice but to respect the player's wishes to sit out the matches, which will determine which side qualifies automatically for the finals in North America, with the second-placed team having to go through playoffs.

"I often talk to him. We have to respect the decisions and problems that each of us has," Gattuso told a news conference. "We know well what we tell each other, and I must respect what the player tells me. I can't say anything else."

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