Spain
out to reverse recent results against Italy
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[August 31, 2017]
By Richard Martin
MADRID, Aug 31 (Reuters) - Spain must
overcome their recent struggles against Italy when they host the
Azzurri in a crucial World Cup qualifier in Madrid on Saturday, a
game where the victor will take a giant step towards sealing their
place in next year's tournament in Russia.
The two old rivals are locked on 16 points at the top of Group G
with four games remaining, winning every game so far aside from
their 1-1 draw in Turin last October, although Spain lead the group
due to their superior goal difference.
Victory at the Santiago Bernabeu would put the 2010 World Cup
winners two further wins from guaranteeing top spot in the group and
an automatic place in Russia. Defeat would likely see them finish
runners up, which means being placed in the November play-offs, with
France and Portugal as potential opponents.
Spain enjoyed an impressive run of results against Italy between
2008 and 2014, including penalty shoot-out wins in Euro 2008 and the
2013 Confederations Cup and a resounding 4-0 thrashing in the Euro
2012 final, but have failed to win their last three meetings.
Spain were overpowered by Antonio Conte's tactics in their 2-0
defeat in the last 16 of Euro 2016, while a late Daniele de Rossi
penalty denied them victory in October's qualifier, ensuring a 1-1
draw despite long periods of Spain domination.
History is on Spain's side, however, as they have never lost a World
Cup qualifier on home soil, winning 46 and drawing nine of all their
qualifiers.
Julen Lopetegui is without top scorer Diego Costa against Italy and
Tuesday's trip to Liechtenstein as the Chelsea striker has not
trained with his club since last season and the coach took a
surprise decision in recalling 36-year-old David Villa.
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Villa is Spain's all-time top scorer with 49 goals
but he retired from international football in 2014 and has spent the
last three years playing for Major League Soccer side New York City
FC.
Vitolo, who scored Spain's goal against Italy in October is injured.
If there is uncertainty about how Villa may fare after so long away
from the team, there is tangible excitement about Real Madrid winger
Marco Asensio, 21, who has made a flying start to the season in
scoring four sensational goals in as many games and is set for his
first competitive start for Spain.
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"This is a huge game due to quality, tradition and recent history.
Spain-Italy has become a classic game in the last 10 years, with all
types of results and special battles," Spain midfielder Andres
Iniesta told Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport.
"This will be even more special because of its timing and
significance. Like Italy, we want to qualify for the World Cup
automatically, we want to avoid the play-offs, where anything can
happen."
After facing Italy Spain travel to Liechtenstein, who they blitzed
8-0 in Lopetegui's first competitive game in charge. (Reporting by
Richard Martin; Editing by Alison Williams) [© 2017 Thomson Reuters. All
rights reserved.]
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