Spain were able to celebrate a win at the Santiago Bernabeu that will likely send them to Russia as group winners. Thanks to a brace from Isco and a late Morata goal, Lopetegui’s side beat Italy 3-0 to move clear at the top of Group G, three points ahead of the Azzurri. It was the first misstep for Italy after four wins and nine games without defeat and it also ended a 56-game unbeaten streak in European Championship and World Cup qualifiers.
Spain again showed why they are so strong at home as they’ve never lost a World Cup qualifier on their own turf. They started with a defence of Sergio Ramos and Pique. David Silva showed bursts of energy, Sergio Busquets added a tactical balance which allowed the talents of Isco and Asensio to shine in Madrid.
An attacking Italy side wasn’t up to the task. Immobile and Belotti formed the strike partnership with Insigne and Candreva supporting them on the wings in what was a 4-2-4 while in possession and 4-4-2 when without the ball. Morata was on the bench for Spain as Lopetegui opted for a false nine so that his in-form players could play their part and Marco Asensio starred as the local hero for the fans at the Bernabeu.
The Roja pressed high and kept the ball as Isco, Asensio and Silva kept switching positions to prevent the Azzurri defence from getting a real hold on them. The deadlock was broken after 13 minutes. Iniesta played the ball to Asensio who was brought down outside the area by Bonucci. Isco stepped up to hit the free kick into the top corner and he gave Spain the lead. Italy struggled to find their tempo and errors didn’t help but Belotti had a chance to level in the 22nd minute as his header from a Darmian crossed forced a save from De Gea. The Azzurri fans made themselves heard from the stands and Ventura’s side appeared to take heart. At the half-hour mark there was a chance as Bonucci played a long ball to Belotti but the flag went up incorrectly. Isco sent the home crowd into raptures in the 40th minute as he moved the ball from right to left to get free of Verratti before firing into the bottom corner.
Italy came back after the break with a different attitude and created two chances within a few minutes. Insigne’s shot was deflected by De Gea, while Belotti’s header flew over the bar. Spain kept control of the game thoughout and the home crowd were entertained by Isco’s great performance. In the 67th minute, the Real Madrid star first nutmegged Verratti and then played Carvajal, whose shot was saved by Buffon. With 20 minutes left to play, Ventura sent on Eder and Bernardeschi for Belotti and Candreva. Morata replaced Iniesta and Isco set up a great chance for him too, but Barzagli’s intervention prevented him from going through on goal. He was only kept out for a few minutes, as the former Juventus striker combined with Sergio Ramos to make it 3-0. Manolo Gabbiadini came on for Immobile and forced De Gea into making a good save, but then all eyes were on Isco once more as he received a standing ovation when he left the pitch for Villa. Italy will have to recover immediately. Tuesday’s match in Reggio Emilia is decisive as well and the Azzurri need to beat Israel on their quest to Russia 2018.
Source: figc.it
Squad list
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Gianluigi Donnarumma (Milan), Mattia Perin (Genoa);
Defenders: Davide Astori (Fiorentina), Andrea Barzagli (Juventus), Leonardo Bonucci (Milan), *Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Andrea Conti (Milan), Danilo D’Ambrosio (Inter), Matteo Darmian (Manchester United), Daniele Rugani (Juventus), Leonardo Spinazzola (Atalanta);
Midfielders: Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Riccardo Montolivo (Milan), Marco Parolo (Lazio), Lorenzo Pellegrini (Roma), Marco Verratti (Paris Saint Germain);
Wingers: Federico Bernardeschi (Juventus), Antonio Candreva (Inter), Stephan El Shaarawy (Roma), Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli);
Forwards: Andrea Belotti (Torino), Eder Citadin Martins (Inter), Manolo Gabbiadini (Southampton), Ciro Immobile (Lazio.
*Injured and has left the squad
National Team’s schedule
Sunday 3rd September
10.30 Flight from Madrid to Florence
18.00 Training (first 15 minutes open to the press)
Monday 4th September MD-1
9.30 Training (first 15 minutes open to the press)
17.30 Bus transfer to Reggio Emilia
19.30 Walk-round at the Stadio ‘Città del Tricolore’ (open to the press)
20.00 Press conference for coach and one player
Israel’s media commitments at the Stadio Città del Tricolore:
17.30 Press conference for coach and one player
18.00 Training (first 15 minutes open to the press)
Tuesday 5th September
20.45 ITALY VS. ISRAEL – Stadio Città del Tricolore; Referee Bastien (Francia). Meeting with the press after the match