Ventura fires Spain warning
Italy coach admits his side, who beat Liechtenstein 5-0, will need to be patient and clinical against La Roja
Italy coach Gian Piero Ventura has warned that failure to get it right against Spain in a crucial World Cup qualifier on Sept 2 could prove costly.
Goals from Lorenzo Insigne, Andrea Belotti, Eder, Federico Bernardeschi and Manolo Gabbiadini in a 5-0 rout of Liechtenstein sent unbeaten Italy to their fifth win in Group G in Udine yesterday morning (Singapore time).
But a lack of clinical finishing meant the Azzurri failed to pile on even more goals that could have seen them leapfrog Spain - top of Group G with 16 points - to take command of the group.
Spain, who secured a precious 2-1 win over Macedonia yesterday, remain top with a superior difference of four goals.
Although both teams will have three qualifiers to play following their Madrid clash, it is being billed as decisive for both as they look to secure top spot and the sole automatic qualifying place.
The runners-up will face a qualifying play-off.
While buoyed by a performance that saw Italy run Liechtenstein ragged for almost the entire 90 minutes, Ventura said: "Our first half will serve as a lesson for our next game in Madrid.
"If we head to Spain trying to do things too quickly, we'll end up messing it up.
"In the second half, we did things as we should have. We played with a lot more lucidity and the chances came and, eventually, so did the goals.
“If we head to Spain trying to do things too quickly, we’ll end up messing it up.”Italy coach Gian Piero Ventura
"In the second half alone, we created seven or eight clear chances. That's what I mean when I talk of patience: let's try to remember that in Madrid."
Amid a sterling performance in the No. 10 jersey, Napoli forward Lorenzo Insigne broke the deadlock with a superb curling strike on 35 minutes.
But it took Ventura's men until the second half to make an impact, Insigne threading through for Torino striker Belotti to hit Italy's second on 52 minutes.
A series of chances went begging before Italy scored three goals thanks to second-half substitutes Eder (Inter Milan), Bernardeschi (Fiorentina) and Southampton's Gabbiadini.
It was Bernardeschi's maiden Italy goal, having made his debut in Udine when Italy hosted Spain in a friendly last year.
But the stand-out performer for Italy was Insigne, whose movement, vision, ball control and passing made the difference.
"We gave it everything, but the most important thing was to win," said Insigne, who echoed Ventura's thoughts for Spain ahead of their meeting.
"We know it will be a difficult game. We will be playing in Spain but, with the correct approach and playing like a team as we did tonight, I'm sure we'll produce a solid performance and, hopefully, get the right result.
"We're all committed to the national cause." - AFP
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