Ventura: ‘Spain not decisive’

Italy CT Giampiero Ventura describes the Spain clash as “important, but not decisive”.

The Azzurri face Julen Lopetegui’s side on Thursday, a rematch of the Last 16 clash at Euro 2016 which saw La Roja defeated 2-0.

“It’s important, but not decisive,” Ventura told reporters in a Press conference at Coverciano.

Italy CT Giampiero Ventura describes the Spain clash as “important, but not decisive”.

The Azzurri face Julen Lopetegui’s side on Thursday, a rematch of the Last 16 clash at Euro 2016 which saw La Roja defeated 2-0.

“It’s important, but not decisive,” Ventura told reporters in a Press conference at Coverciano.

“We’re facing the best team in the group. The last game they lost in [World Cup] qualifying was 23 years ago. They’re a team which has changed in their approach and how they do things on the pitch.

“It’s a different Spain to the past.”

Mario Balotelli received a pre-call after his goalscoring exploits at Nice, but wasn’t named in the final squad.

“As a player he’s not in question, it's only the rest that's up for discussion. I said that no-one would be foreclosed on. The pre-call came because he’s back to playing and scoring, now it takes consistency. If he continues like this it's ok.

"The pre-call is a signal that the door isn't closed to anyone.

“Ciro Immobile and Andrea Belotti? They can play together, because they’ve already done so. They’ll definitely play one of the two matches.”