Italy and Spain face each other on Thursday night in Turin is one of the most fascinating games of the current round of World Cup qualifiers.
Both countries have relatively new bosses in charge, with Julen Lopetegui now the Spanish boss and Giampiero Ventura the new Azzurri boss. Both bosses replace highly-rated predecessors in Vicente del Bosque and Antonio Conte respectively.
These two teams clashed as recently as June at Euro 2016 in France, with Italy coming out on top 2-0 in the round of 16. The victory at the Euro’s was Italy’s first over Spain in six games, although most of those games were not in competitive competition.
The two sides also met in the final of Euro 2012, when La Roja recorded a 4-0 victory over the Azzurri. Despite Spain’s perceived good record against the Italians, the games against the Azzurri have been very tight in recent years, with the exception of that 2012 final.
Both countries kicked-off their qualifying campaigns with victories. Spain opened their campaign with an 8-0 hammering of perennial whipping boys Liechtenstein. Italy opened their qualification campaign with a 3-1 win in Israel, having suffered defeat against France in Ventura’s first game in charge.
With just the group winners guaranteed a place at Russia 2018, the games between these two giants of European football are likely to decide which team tops the group.
It’s unlikely that any of the other teams in the group will be able to compete with the pair, so one of the nations will have to take their chances in the play-offs.
This game could be another interesting tactical battle. It is likely to be another close encounter and may be decided by a touch of brilliance or a rare mistake from somebody.
The most logical result in this encounter looks to be a draw, but with so much quality on display, it is a difficult one to call.