Fresh Italy embark on new Ventura

– Chelsea jokes aside, Giampiero Ventura (pictured) is hoping to pick up where Antonio Conte left off when he leads a new-look Italy for the first time in a friendly against beaten Euro 2016 finalists France today.

“I want to take Antonio’s project forward,” Ventura said, a week before making his competitive debut as coach of Italy in a 2018 World Cup qualifier against Israel in Haifa. “If I follow his path, then I know where to go in two years – Chelsea!”

At 68 years old and now realising a long-held dream of coaching the four-time World Cup winners, Ventura is highly unlikely to follow 46-year-old Conte’s path to Stamford Bridge.

He has more pressing concerns, namely maintaining the hopes of Italian fans and federation chiefs following a promising

Milan

Euro 2016 campaign that was only ended by a dramatic quarterfinal penalty shoot-out to Germany.

For the first time since their last World Cup triumph in 2006, Italy – who exited the past two World Cups at the first round – were feted on their return home.

For many, it proved the three consecutive titles Conte won with Italy’s strongest club, Juventus, in 2012-2014 – when Ventura was working across the city as coach of unfashionable Torino – were no fluke. Indeed, Conte raised Italy’s profile during an impressive Euro campaign and Ventura knows his will be a hard act to follow.

“It’s extremely challenging to take up his mantle,” added Ventura, who is expected, initially at least, to keep faith with his predecessor’s preferred 3-5-2 formation. Today’s test is expected to see a possibly emotional Ventura – he began his coaching career in Bari – stick with the gameplan Conte used to such success in France, and possibly hand debuts at some point in the game to one of four squad new boys. – AFP