Spain, Italy in tight battle for ticket to Russia
BERLIN: Two former World Cup winners in the same World Cup qualifying group at least makes the process of reaching the June 2018 finals in Russia more exciting, even if Spain and Italy are hardly over the moon about it.
They are currently locked together at the top of Group G with 10 points from four matches, making Friday’s home games against Israel and Albania almost must-wins if they want to keep qualification in their own hands.
Only the top teams from each of the nine European groups are guaranteed a spot at the World Cup, with the eight best secondplaced teams playing off for the remaining four berths.
Spain or Italy can assume they will not be the worst second-placed team but both want to avoid the complications of a play-off.
Luckily for Spain coach Julen Lopetegui, he is likely to be at full strength for Israel’s visit to Gijon.
In his previous five matches in charge since taking over from Vicente del Bosque, he has been blighted by injuries to key players such as Diego Costa, Andres Iniesta and Jordi Alba. All three are now fit and should start against the third-placed team in the group, who are just a point behind.
Lopetegui has four everpresents in his squad with Vitolo, Koke, Sergio Busquets and David Silva having appeared in all four previous qualifiers. They all look set to start as Spain defend a 100 per cent home record that has so far seen them put eight past Liechtenstein and four past FYR Macedonia.
“We know all about Israel’s potential,” Lopetegui said.
“We need to be very alert because they are only one point behind us and they are the most technically-gifted side in the group after ourselves.”
Italy coach Gian Piero Ventura may see that as a veiled dig at his side and will want the Azzurri to put on a show against the Albanians in Palermo.
The Italians look very inexperienced compared with some of their great teams of the past but Ventura hopes youthful exuberance will win through.
He has been forced to give a first call-up to 21-year-old Andrea Petagna, who has scored five goals this season for Atalanta, to replace injured Southampton striker Manolo Gabbiadini.
Germany, England and France also top their groups and also have qualifiers they should win.
World champions Germany have the trickiest encounter as they play in Azerbaijan on Sunday. RB Leipzig forward Timo Werner could feature following his first call-up, with Germany’s striker options again looking threadbare.
“Our aim is to get the World Cup ticket as soon as possible,” said coach Joachim Loew, whose side top Group C on 12 points.
France lead Group A by three points from the Netherlands and Sweden have the chance to steal a march on their rivals by winning at lowly neighbours Luxembourg on Saturday. The Dutch have an awkward trip to Bulgaria and Sweden host Belarus.
Group F leaders England welcome Lithuania to Wembley on Sunday but are hampered by a number of injuries to strikers, meaning recalled 34-year-old Jermain Defoe may get a start.
European champions Portugal look in the biggest danger as they reach the halfway stage in qualification. They are only second in Group B, trailing Switzerland by three points ahead of hosting Hungary on Saturday. – dpa