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EURO 2016

MACEDONIA

Spain aim to get back to winning ways

Spain's bid to put right a disastrous defence of the World Cup gets underway in the modest surrounds of Levante's 26,000 capacity stadium against equally modest opponents Macedonia on Monday.

Spain aim to get back to winning ways
Vicente del Bosque and his new look squad hope to return to form against Macedonia. AFP Photo/Franck Fife

However, a series of injuries to key players leaves coach Vicente del Bosque searching for goalscorers in his need for a big performance to quell the doubts over his ability to rejuvenate the side and compete for a third consecutive European Championship triumph.

Chelsea striker Diego Costa pulled out of the squad on Thursday after damaging his hamstring in the 1-0 friendly defeat by France on Wednesday, leaving Valencia's Paco Alcacer, who only made his international debut in Paris as a second-half substitute, as the only recognised striker left in the squad.

Scoring goals has been a familiar problem for Spain in recent times as they failed to score from open play before being eliminated in Brazil and found the net just 14 times in eight games in qualifying for the World Cup.

The absence of the injured Andres Iniesta, added to the international retirements of Xavi Hernandez and Xabi Alonso, also significantly affects La Roja's ability to play the tiki-taka style of football that brought them success in three consecutive international tournaments.

However, Manchester City midfielder David Silva insists that that style should remain despite an overhaul in personal.

"There are a lot of new people and we need to link up all the new pieces, that is the way forward.

"But we have won a lot playing this way. Cesc (Fabregas), Andres, myself, there are many of us who are used to this and I think we need to continue with it.

"Important players have left, but those that remain are important too and I am sure the new ones will be too in time."

Del Bosque has another key decision to make in goal with Manchester United's David de Gea challenging captain Iker Casillas to be the number one.

De Gea made his first start at senior international level against France, but Del Bosque is expected to back Casillas once more despite his culpability as Spain were swept aside by the Netherlands and Chile at the World Cup.

Given the lack of attacking options, Fabregas is also expected to return to the false number nine position he has played regularly over the past few years for Spain, despite starring in central midfield for new club Chelsea so far this season.

Jordi Alba, Raul Albiol, Pedro Rodriguez and Silva are also likely to come back into the side from the experimental line-up that started against France.
 

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FOOTBALL

Ventura fears for World Cup play-offs after Turin shocker

Gian Piero Ventura warned Italy will struggle to even get past November's World Cup play-offs if they reproduce the woeful form of Friday night's 1-1 draw against Macedonia in Turin.

Ventura fears for World Cup play-offs after Turin shocker
Italy boss Gian Piero Ventura. Photo: Marco Bertorello/AFP

Aleksandar Trajkovski cancelled out Giorgio Chiellini's first half goal as the Azzurri left the pitch in Ventura's old stadium with whistles ringing in their ears.

“If Italy play like we did in the second half with Macedonia, we'll struggle in the play-offs,” said Ventura.

Spain qualified first in Group G by thrashing Albania 3-0 with Italy second but still not mathematically sure of even being one of the top eight runners-up to make the play-offs.

“The result is not positive, it is not what we wanted, nor what we expected,” said the former Torino coach.

“I think the whistles were deserved, even if I think you should never jeer the national side as a point of principle.

“We need to get the crowd on our side because they can help us. We have a match waiting for us in Albania (on Monday) before the play-offs and we'll go out there to play.

“The only thing that matters now is getting our energy back, recover a few players and go to achieve what this group deserves, which is a place in the play-offs.”

'Get out fast'

Veteran keeper Gianluigi Buffon — decked out in the new Azzurri blue kit for the 2018 World Cup – conceded the four-time world champions were still reeling from last month's rout by Spain.

“I think that the Spain defeat affected our confidence and it still left a mark on this match,” said the Juventus player.

“Maybe we thought that we're better than we are, even if a 1-0 win wouldn't have changed anything and a draw just extends a cycle that we need to get out of fast through pride, determination and a sense of responsibility.

“At this point we need a psychological turning point.”

The setback against 103rd-ranked Macedonia could also have a negative impact on Italy's world ranking — currently 17th – as they bid to ensure a favourable seeding for the play-off draw next month.

Chiellini added: “We're really frustrated. We are sorry for the fans, we understand them and we are as upset as they are, but I am sure they will support us when we need them.”

Amid the mounting injuries Juventus defender Andrea Barzagli limped off at the end of the first half with a muscular problem.

“I went off to avoid taking any risks,” said the 36-year-old.

“It was a bad game, we need a bit more belief in ourselves, but we are all keen to play and give our all. We have to show more determination on the pitch, we want to go to Russia. We have to go to Russia.”

The last time Italy had to go through play-offs was in 1997 on the road to the 1998 World Cup in France.

By Emmeline Moore