Italy coach Antonio Conte has played down Giorgio Chiellini's controversial departure from the national team's camp this week.
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Chiellini, 30, was summoned back to Turin by his club Juventus after a scan revealed a foot injury which has ruled him out of Tuesday night's Euro 2016 qualifier against Norway in Oslo.
The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) initially agreed with Juve that the player would remain with the national team and receive treatment from their doctors.
Less than 24 hours after that announcement, however, the Serie A side demanded Chiellini be sent back to Turin to be treated by their medical department.
"It's a pity because he's an important player who could have been useful to his teammates, considering he had already worked under Conte in the past," Italy team manager Lele Oriali is quoted as saying in Repubblica.
"The player was very upset. Clearly they wanted him back straight away to get him back to fitness sooner, but we have very good doctors and physiotherapists here.
"Juve had given us the all clear to keep the player with us up to the game in Oslo, but I spoke with [Juve general manager Beppe] Marotta this morning and the club requested the player return to Turin. We did what we have to do according to the regulations."
Juve hope to have the player fit in time for their opening Champions League fixture against Malmo next Tuesday, but their demand was interpreted as a way of getting one over former coach Conte, who left the club by mutual consent in July.
He does not see it that way, however, and says the issue is now closed ahead of his first competitive game in charge of Italy.
"I'm very serene, like I was ahead of the Netherlands game," Conte, who became the first Italy coach since 1998 to win on his debut with a 2-0 win over the Oranje on Friday, said at a news conference in Oslo. "Given my past, I've developed broad shoulders, but I would not say this is anything controversial.
"As far as Chiellini is concerned, all I have to say is that we're all in the same boat and we need all hands on deck. I will always accommodate clubs' wishes and my colleagues at club level. I'm here to unite, not to divide because if you want to do great things, then it is unity which gives you strength.
"Having said that, incidents and misunderstandings like over the past few days can always happen. We will learn from it, to help us perfect the way we deal with situations like this one."
FIGC president Carlo Tavecchio was equally unmoved by Chiellini's return to the Bianconeri.
"It's not an affront against Conte -- there are no problems," he told Radio Onda Libera. "The relationship between Conte and his former club has remained excellent. Juve are the top team in Italian football and they have a leading position in the Champions League.
"In delicate moments, while we are all focused on preparing for an important match, there can be misunderstandings or breakdowns in communication, but there are no problems with Juve or with the national team staff."