Some choices have been compulsory in terms of personnel but Ventura isn’t ruling about possible changes in the system. “It’s clear that we have a system on the pitch (back four) and there is a great sense of conviction that we can move forwards with this. At the same time, there is also the system with which finished at the European Championship (back three). We’re capable of playing with both systems and we’re working to move forward with both so that we can change during a match.”  Lorenzo Insigne looks set to take on an important role. “He’s doing brilliantly, he’s important at the moment for Napoli and for the national team. I hope, that there will be other decisive players like him. Belotti and Immobile together in a trident? It’s difficult because they’re both centre-forwards but logic dictates that everyone can play their role in a national team. Verratti? He’s ready and willing. In PSG he sets the tempo, plays in centre and attacking midfield. He can play any role in the midfield and that’s important for us.” 
 
Spain will be the first encounter of the break for Italy. “It’s obvious that we have to go to Madrid to take them on and play for one result which is victory. There has to be a reason why we haven’t won there in 70 years, but let’s not forget about Israel. If we beat Spain and then don’t do so against Israel, it’ll be as though we haven’t achieved anything. I’m excited about the Spain match, I’d have liked for a draw to be a more useful result but the fact that only one result is good enough is an extra motivation.”   To finish, Ventura declared himself to be in favour of VAR because “when something new starts you have to give it time. There will be inconsistencies, for example in some matches where time is limited and others where it’s extended. Patience is needed for it to develop. I’m in favour of in theory but what you can see of it at the moment can be improved.” 
 
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.
 
National Team’s schedule 
 
Monday 28th August 
13.30 Meeting the media (coach)
17.00 Video session. Training to follow (first 15 minutes open to the press)
 
Tuesday 29th August 
13.30 Meeting the media (players)
17.00 Video session. Training to follow (first 15 minutes open to the press)
 
Wednesday 30th August
9.30 Training (closed door)
13.30 Meeting the media (players)
18.00 Training (first 15 minutes open to the press)
                       
Thursday 31st August
13.30 Meeting the media (players)
18.00 Training (first 15 minutes open to the press) Friday 1st September – MD 1
9.30     Training (first 15 minutes open to the press)
16.30 Flight from Florence to Madrid
19.30 Walk-round at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium
20.00    Press conference – coach and one player Spain’s media commitments
12.00 Press conference (Coach and one player) at the Salón Villalonga at the Spanish headquarters
Adress: Real Federación Española de Fútbol Avda. Ramón y Cajal, s/n – 28230     Las Rozas (Madrid)
20.30 Training (open to the public and press)
 
Saturday 2nd September
 20.45        SPAIN- ITALY – Santiago Bernabeu Stadium;  Referee Kuipers (Olanda)
Squad will meet the press after the match and will then return to their hotel
 
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   ]]>