Italians seek redemption
Following a demolition job on Italy, Spain look to cement their status as one of the favourites for next year’s World Cup with another thrashing of Liechtenstein tonight.
Inspired by Isco’s array of silky skills and clinical finishing, La Roja swept aside Italy 3-0 on Saturday night to take a commanding three-point lead at the top of Group G of European qualifying.
After early exits as defending champions at the 2014 World Cup and Euro 2016, Spain’s display was reminiscent of the side that won three back-to-back major tournaments between 2008 and 2012.
“With the attitude with which we have played the World Cup is very close,” said Isco, whose close control and two goals left even Italy boss Giampiero Ventura singing his praises.
“This team still has hunger. Those that have won it all, the new ones that have come in, the ones that have returned. It is an incredible squad.”
The climax of Spain’s golden era was a 4-0 humiliation of Italy in the final of Euro 2012.
Yet, that generation seemed to have had its time when Italy outclassed and outfought a jaded Spain just 15 months ago in Vicente del Bosque’s final game in charge at Euro 2016.
Under Julen Lopetegui, though, they have rediscovered the precise passing and pressing that once made them the most feared side in international football and blending youth and experience.
Isco was one of just four changes from the side that lost to Italy at Euro 2016.
A host of World Cup winners from 2010 in Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets, David Silva and Andres Iniesta remain.
But around them Spain have another enviously talented generation ready to shine.
Marco Asensio made his first competitive international start on Saturday at just 21.
Meanwhile, the likes of David de Gea, Dani Carvajal, Koke, Saul Niguez and Alvaro Morata all have significant international and Champions League experience despite their tender age.
“You only have to look at almost any Spanish player to see they have played in three Champions League finals and in our side there are very few with that experience,” lamented Ventura.
Such competition with Spain and Real Madrid has meant even a player of Isco’s talent has had to wait for his opportunity.
Only in the past six months has the man nicknamed “magic” by his Real team-mates managed to hold down a regular place in the starting line-up at the Bernabeu.
Indeed, his form at the end of last season was so spectacular that Gareth Bale was relegated to the bench for the Champions League final on his homecoming to Cardiff as Real routed Juventus 4-1.
“I haven’t played many games for the national team, but this was perhaps the most special,” Isco added after his taming of the Azzurri.
“Confidence and continuity is very important for these things.”
Lopetegui has also underlined the significance of Isco’s growing importance to Madrid for his maturation on the international stage.
“Playing regularly, gaining important experience with his club and with us means that as a footballer he is growing,” said Lopetegui.
A Liechtenstein side that lost 8-0 on their visit to Spain a year ago are unlikely to pose any serious threat.
Whether Lopetegui’s Spain are up to the vintage of 2008 to 2012 will only be properly tested once they get to Russia in June. – AFP
– A bruised Italy will look to turn the page on a morale-sapping World Cup qualifying defeat to Spain when they host Israel in tonight.
The Azzurri need three points to consolidate second place in Group G behind Spain and stay safely clear of third-placed Albania as they look to make it to the finals in Russia next year.
Giampiero Ventura’s side were outclassed by the 2010 world champions as they were thumped 3-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday.
Tonight’s challenge against Israel at the Mapei Stadium in northern Italy has now become all the more important as the fourtime world champions look to regain confidence.
“A bad defeat which will help us grow ... now grit and determination for Tuesday,” said midfielder Antonio Candreva (above).
But Ventura has defensive worries.
Giorgio Chiellini is still out with a calf problem along with Leonardo Bonucci, who picked up a booking on Saturday, and Leonardo Spinazzola, injured in the last few minutes in Spain.
New Chelsea recruit Davide Zappacosta was hastily called up to training in Florence on Sunday as Ventura looks to pull together a makeshift defence.
Juventus duo Andrea Barzagli and Daniele Rugani could start together in central defence with Andrea Conti on the right and Manchester United’s Matteo Darmian moved to the opposite side.
Meanwhile, AC Milan’s teenage goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma could take the place of veteran captain Gigi Buffon, 39, between the posts.
The defeat was Italy’s first loss in either World Cup or European Championship qualifying since September 2006, a run of 56 matches. – AFP