Again Spain-Italy. This evening at 20 pm the Azzurri will play the most important match of the qualifiers for the next World Cup in Russia 30 at the Santiago Bernabeu. A draw would not be enough, because arriving in the standings on equal points the goal difference would count and that of the furious reds is definitely better than ours . The mission of the boys from Ventura is therefore to win, even if it will be very difficult. For the quality of the opponent, because we play in the temple of Spanish football and also because one of the pillars of our defense – Giorgio Chiellini – forfeited in the last minute due to a calf injury.
As far as training is concerned, the biggest doubts concern the attack, with the possible initial exclusion of Insigne. Unless the coach opts for the super offensive 4-2-4 formation and in this case both the Neapolitan and Candreva would find places, while Verratti would step up to midfield instead of playing as an attacking midfielder in the more than likely 3-4-1-2 , behind the Belotti-Immobile tandem. Rugani should play in defense together with Barzagli and Bonucci.
“Chiellini's injury didn't help, but it doesn't change the decisions I had made – commented Giampiero Ventura – We have lost an important player, but we still have a match against high quality opponents and if we do well we can be protagonists. Does Insigne play with a 4-2-4? Now is not the time to say that. I only know that this is a very important stage and I wish I had more time to prepare it. I am convinced that there are conditions for doing something surprising”.
Captain Buffon also encourages the Azzurri: “I haven't seen so many teams come to Spain and emerge victorious, going around the field. In fact, I've seen someone score tons of goals. In recent days we have worked well on the two phases, defense and attack, and now we just have to find courage and ruthlessness to put everything into practice. The match in Turin doesn't count, in between there was a year of re-foundation. Leaving the Bernabeu after a good performance would be an injection of confidence”.
