Italy (National Football)

Italy claimed their fifth win from six matches in their 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, thrashing minnows Liechtenstein 5-0 at the Dacia Arena in Udine on Sunday.

Lorenzo Insigne opened the scoring for the hosts with a wonderful goal 10 minutes before the break after Italy had squandered some early chances, and Andrea Belotti netted the second soon after half-time.

Eder, Federico Bernardeschi and Manolo Gabbiadini added deserved goals in the final 16 minutes of the match to add a sheen to the victory as Italy kept pace with Spain atop Group G.

Italy posted the lineups on their Twitter feed ahead of kick-off:

🗒 | The official teamsheet with both sides for tonight's qualifier at the Stadio Friuli!

⏰| 20:45 CEST

🇮🇹🇱🇮 #ItalyLiechtenstein pic.twitter.com/zllyaAk0oT

— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri_En) June 11, 2017

Antonio Candreva put a brilliant volley into the back of the net inside two minutes, but the goal was incorrectly ruled out for offside.

It should have mattered little, though, as the Azzurri had other chances to get ahead early. But Ciro Immobile could only fire straight at goalkeeper Peter Jehle when through on goal, and Insigne scuffed a chance after creating space on the edge of the box.

A frustrating and goalless first half-hour for the hosts almost ended with Liechtenstein going ahead against the run of play, but Michele Polverino fired a stinging long-range effort just wide.

When Insigne finally opened the scoring, it was worth the wait. The Napoli forward received the ball in the box from Leonardo Spinazzola with his back to goal, flicked it up and, on the turn, hooked a precise and powerful finish into the top corner.

The anxiety eased inside the Stadio Friuli, and Italy were 2-0 up seven minutes after the break.

The excellent Insigne was involved again, as he threaded a fine ball to Belotti, who beat the offside trap and curled an exquisite finish into the back of the net.

Unsurprisingly, Italy continued to camp in Liechtenstein's half, but the killer final ball proved elusive for Gian Piero Ventura's side.

They finally put another complete move together in the 74th minute, when substitute Eder poked home from close-range after Belotti's first-time cross from the right.

Bernardeschi added the fourth eight minutes from time, burying a fine low shot into the bottom corner from 20 yards.

Gabbiadini then rubbed salt into Liechtenstein's wounds in stoppage time, turning home first time after Spinazzola's fizzed delivery from the left flank.

Italy are expected to comfortably secure three precious points when they host Liechtenstein in a Group G qualifier for the 2018 FIFA World Cup on Sunday. The Azzurri are in fine form, having not lost in nine games entering the match at the Stadio Friuli in Udine.

Italy have been mixing experience with some young hopefuls on manager Gian Piero Ventura's watch. The mix has proved effective in the qualifying campaign, especially up front.

The 2006 World Cup winners are second in Group G, level on points with leaders Spain, per FIFA's official website. Meanwhile, Liechtenstein have yet to win in five qualifying games, conceding 19 goals and scoring just once.

Before a preview, a look at the schedule and viewing details.

    

Date: Sunday, June 11

Time: 7:45 p.m. BST. 2:45 p.m. ET.

TV Info: Sky Sports 3.

Live Stream: Sky Go. WatchESPN.

      

Preview

Italy got ready for this key qualifier with a 3-0 win over Uruguay in a friendly on Wednesday. It was a game wherein veteran striker Eder found the net again.

The 30-year-old has been looking forward to this match, stressing its importance, as well as talking up Italy's belief they can win in Spain in conversation with Rai Sport (h/t Football-Italia): "We worked well at Coverciano over the last few days and are working to be in the best shape for Liechtenstein, which is the game that matters the most. The Coach believes, and we believe, that we can do well in Spain."

Eder's confidence is well-founded, since Ventura's men are on a solid unbeaten run, according to OptaPaolo:

8 - Italy are unbeaten in their last 8 games (W6 D2). Developing. #ItalyUruguay

— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) June 7, 2017

Further optimism can come from the last meeting between these two, which Italy won 4-0 away back in November. The match featured a brace from burgeoning Torino star Andrea Belotti.

The 23-year-old striker has emerged as a transfer target for Premier League giants Manchester United after his spectacular season in Serie A, per Italian publication Tuttosport (h/t Bruce Archer of the Daily Express).

Belotti scored 28 times for Torino during 2016/17, per WhoScored.com. He proved his quality as a finisher, both on the deck and in the air:

10 - Andrea #Belotti scored 10 headed goals in Serie A, at least 3 more than any other player in the top-5 Euro leagues last season. Crest. pic.twitter.com/6GgaXYddOE

— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) June 8, 2017

The Belotti-Eder strike partnership can give the Azzurri the firepower to overwhelm a struggling Liechtenstein defence. This is an ideal chance for Italy to not only win but win big, padding their goal difference in the process.

Goal difference is likely to prove key when it comes to separating the Azzurri from Spain in the final reckoning for Group G. This game is where the Italians can begin tipping the scales in their favour ahead of the looming crunch rematch with Spain in early September.

Prediction: Italy 5-0 Liechtenstein

A bizarre own goal from Jose Gimenez helped Italy to a 3-0 friendly win over Uruguay on Wednesday at the  Allianz Riviera in Nice, France.

Italy took the lead in the seventh minute, as Gimenez comically fired past his own goalkeeper from the edge of the area after a long ball forward.

In the second period, goalmouth action was limited, although Inter Milan striker Eder was able to double the Azzurri's advantage seven minutes from time. Daniele De Rossi then rounded off a comprehensive performance with a penalty in the 91st minute.

The Serie A News Twitter feed provided what was an ultra-attacking Italy lineup:

Italy's lineup for the friendly against Uruguay 🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/rk4GY4eyU7

— Serie A News (@TransfersCalcio) June 7, 2017

After a fast and physical start from Italy—Claudio Marchisio was cautioned early on in this one—they went ahead with just seven minutes on the clock. 

In fairness, they had a huge bit of help from Gimenez. A long ball forward was chested down by Andrea Belotti, although the Uruguay man was tight to the Azzurri striker. However, in an attempt to clear the danger, Gimenez crashed a strike past a stranded Fernando Muslera.

Football journalist Giancarlo Rinaldi enjoyed it:

That goes straight into the top 10 best own goals of all time... #ItaliaUruguay

— Giancarlo Rinaldi (@ginkers) June 7, 2017

After the opener, Italy continued to pile forward and should have extended their advantage before half-time.

Belotti had a brilliant chance a couple of minutes after Gimenez's howler but was smothered by an onrushing Muslera. His strike partner Ciro Immobile also should have done better when he was played in by Antonio Candreva; the Lazio man saw his effort blocked by Matias Vecino.

Despite their strong performance in the opening 45 minutes, Italy's half was punctured by the loss of Marchisio to injury. As noted by Italian Football TV, on his return to the national side, the Juventus man looked gutted to be coming off:

His first game back for Italy & he's already going off injured. Montolivo on to replace Marchisio pic.twitter.com/33aucfsPWL

— ItalianFootballTV (@IFTVofficial) June 7, 2017

Meanwhile, without Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez in the XI, Uruguay offered next to nothing as an attacking threat.

In the second period, the pattern of the game didn't alter too much, while a flurry of substitutes disrupted the rhythm of both sides in trademark international-friendly fashion.

Uruguay thought they'd found an equaliser after the break, as Martin Caceres towered high to head home a set piece. However, it was chalked off for a foul on Ricardo Montolivo.

Despite the non-competitive nature of the game, there were times in the second half when tempers did fray. Andrea Barzagli and De Rossi were particularly unhappy with the conduct of Nahitan Nandez, who picked up a yellow card for a poor challenge.

In terms of eye-catching attacking play, there was little to sample for supporters in Nice for long spells. Italy did always look the more likely of the two to find the net, though, and Stephan El Shaarawy forced a superb stop from Muslera after stealing the ball high up the pitch.

The Warriors of Uruguay Twitter feed paid tribute to their stopper, who was the team's best performer on the night:

That's why Fernando Muslera is one of the best goalkeepers in Europe.

— Warriors of Uruguay (@UruguayanHeroes) June 7, 2017

In the final stages of the match, the South Americans were noticeably jaded, as they struggled to cope with the fresh legs in the Italy attack. So it was no surprise to see two substitutes combine for the Azzurri's second of the evening.

Seconds after coming on, Manolo Gabbiadini found space in the box and steered a strike towards goal with his left foot. His effort was going wide, but Eder was on the spot to divert beyond Muslera. Per OptaPaolo, he's in fine form at the moment:

4 - Éder has scored in each of his last 4 appearances between club and National team (5 goals in total). Shape. #ItaliaUruguay

— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) June 7, 2017

With the game gone, Uruguay started to make even more rash decisions, with El Sharaawy, in particular, too hot to handle. In stoppage time, he was felled in the box, and that allowed De Rossi to step up and add the gloss to the scoreline before the final whistle.

Italy weren't quite at their fluid best here, although the performance will ensure the Azzurri head into their FIFA World Cup qualifying match with Liechtenstein on Sunday in a winning groove.

AC Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has delayed his college exams by one month in order to play for Italy in the 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship in Poland later this month. 

Per ESPN FC's Ben Gladwell, the 18-year-old has been named in Luigi Di Biagio's Azzurrini squad despite previous reports suggesting he would miss the tournament in order to do his exams in June.

The full squad was posted on the Italian national team's Twitter feed:

❗️ Here's the squad that #DiBiagio is taking to Poland for the #Under21 European Championship 🇪🇺 ! 👉 https://t.co/fSYAwAkoIW#Azzurrini 🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/5XlNa2F9Fv

— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri_En) June 6, 2017

Donnarumma has three senior caps for Italy and has been Milan's No. 1 for the best part of the last two seasons—he played every minute of their 2016-17 Serie A campaign.

Having been included in the squad he will be a key player for Italy at the under-21 Euros, and he is likely to be the Azzurrini's first-choice stopper ahead of Udinese No. 2 Simone Scuffet and Alessio Cragno of Benevento, per Gladwell.

Donnarumma could have an eventful summer ahead of him off the pitch as his Milan future is far from certain.

He is one of the brightest young goalkeeping talents in Europe and has only a year left on his current deal at the San Siro.

Per The Sun's Mike McGrath, Manchester United and Manchester City have both been linked with the teenager. However, the Sky Blues are on the verge of signing goalkeeper Ederson from Benfica, according to the Manchester Evening News.

For now, though, Donnarumma will no doubt be focusing on the upcoming international tournament, in which Italy face Denmark, Germany and Czech Republic in Group C.

Italy defeated the Netherlands on their travels in an international friendly as they won 2-1 at the Amsterdam ArenA on Tuesday.

The Dutch took the lead when Alessio Romagnoli put the ball in his own net after only 11 minutes, but the Italians were level just a minute later when Eder slammed the ball home. 

Leonardo Bonucci scored from close range on the half-hour mark for the visitors, and the early second goal was enough to obtain the victory.

Interim Oranje coach Fred Grim made four changes to the side that started former boss Danny Blind's final game in charge, as Kenny Tete, Wesley Hoedt, Jeremain Lens and Memphis Depay all gained starting roles.

Italy manager Gian Piero Ventura completely freshened his starting XI, choosing burgeoning goalkeeping talent Gianluigi Donnarumma along with Daniele Rugani, Alessio Romagnoli, Matteo Darmian, Marco Parolo and Eder.

Quincy Promes almost undid the opposition in the opening moments, but Lens failed to finish as Darmian made a vital block.

The hosts grabbed the lead as Romagnoli witnessed the ball deflect off his foot from close range past Donnarumma to give Grim's team an early advantage.

However, the Dutch lost their lead just seconds later as Italy hit back through Eder. The Italian collected the ball as it was cleared from a free-kick, and his lightning-bolt strike from 25 yards ripped into the back of the net to beat PSV Eindhoven stopper Jeroen Zoet.

The impressive Promes almost regained the lead for the Netherlands as he danced through the defence, and Dutch defender Bruno Martins Indi's header hit the crossbar after beating Donnarumma.

As the game progressed towards half-time, Italy scored their second of the game, with Bonucci thumping the ball past Zoet after the 'keeper had saved Parolo's glancing header.

Squawka Football highlighted the strike:

Leonardo Bonucci's last 2 goals for Italy:

⚽️ vs. Germany
⚽️ vs. Netherlands

His 5th overall for his nation. pic.twitter.com/cBdy2HUtii

— Squawka (@Squawka) March 28, 2017

Grim substituted Kevin Strootman as he attempted to adjust his tactics, with Tonny Vilhena of Feyenoord entering the fray.

Italy substitute Andrea Belotti went close to wrapping up the win after spinning to shoot in the box, but Martins Indi made the block to help Zoet.

Depay provided an attacking threat as the Dutch hunted a second goal, but the Italians remained calm in possession and defence.

Wesley Sneijder had two golden opportunities late in the match, but Donnarumma displayed his outstanding potential by keeping the ball out of his net, handing his side victory.

Italy kept the pressure up on Spain at the top of FIFA 2018 World Cup qualifying Group G on Friday, as they beat Albania 2-0 at the Stadio Renzo Barbera.

Daniele De Rossi gave the hosts an early lead from the penalty spot, calmly slotting home in the 12th minute after Andrea Belotti was fouled.

In the second period, the match was temporarily suspended as smoke from the Albanian end of the stadium impaired visibility. Once the action resumed Italy secured the three points, with Ciro Immobile guiding home a header at the back post.

Despite the win, Italy still trail Spain, who beat Israel 4-1 on Friday night, on goal difference.

The game was always going to be a memorable one for Italy’s legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon. As noted by Bleacher Report UK, it was a landmark appearance for the 39-year-old:

What. A. Career. 👏🏼 pic.twitter.com/marIT38cD5

— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 24, 2017

As anticipated, Italy were the dominant force in this one, with their robust opponents happy to drop off and soak up pressure. But Albania’s initial game plan was undone early on.

That was after Belotti was shoved to the ground as a free-kick was delivered into the area, giving the referee an easy decision. The experienced De Rossi stepped up to send the goalkeeper the wrong way and give his team a crucial opener.

Given he operates as a defensive midfield player, the Roma man has a pretty impressive goal haul for the Azzurri, per OptaPaolo:

20 - Daniele De Rossi has scored his 20th goal for Italy National team: he has reached Paolo Rossi (12th goalscorer all time). Ice. #ITAALB

— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) March 24, 2017

From there, Italy really should have put the game to bed. The lively Belotti headed wide from a corner before De Rossi followed suit. 

Belotti then had a brilliant opportunity on the stroke of half-time when he was played through. However, Thomas Strakosha was out quickly to foil the Torino man and keep his side in with a chance heading into the half-time break.

Italy came flying out of the traps in the second period, with the movement of Belotti and Immobile proving too sharp for the Albanian defenders to handle. Yet, just as they started to build momentum, it was halted by smoke from pyrotechnics in the stands engulfing Buffon’s goal.

The ForzaItalianFootball feed posted some footage of the field as the referee called the players off:

For the last 5 mins Albanian fans have been setting off flares and small bombs.

Ref has suspended the match #ItaliaAlbania #ItalyAlbania pic.twitter.com/wUV0XBZZDQ

— Total Italian Football (@SerieATotal) March 24, 2017

After an eight-minute break, the game did get started again, with Italy straight back on the front foot. And it didn’t take them long to finish off their opponents.

Immobile, who has been in wonderful form for Lazio, was alert in the penalty area as a cross was swung in from the right side. From there, the striker did superbly to peel off his marker and steer a header back across goal to make the score 2-0.

As noted by Squawka Football, he’s been red-hot in front of goal lately:

Ciro Immobile has now scored 7 goals in his last 7 games for club & country.

Getting back to his best this season. pic.twitter.com/mZtBrWm8NL

— Squawka (@Squawka) March 24, 2017

From that point on, the match was essentially over and Italy were able to see it out with relative ease.

This was far from the most fluid Italian performance. They weren’t helped by the stoppage in the second period, while they also found it difficult to build impetus against a dogged Albania team. But they’ll be delighted to have kept in touch with Spain in the race to finish top.

Having struggled to find a world-class centre-forward in recent years, Azzurri fans would have been delighted to see Immobile and Belotti work so well as a duo. Should they continue to develop an on-field affinity, Italy can be a real attacking force in years to come.

Reaction

Afterward, Italy boss Gian Piero Ventura and midfielder Marco Verratti reacted to an important win, per the team's official Twitter feed:

🎙 | #Ventura: "There was some tension at the start, we weren't fluid. Other than the shot at the start, we didn't give anything up."

— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri_En) March 24, 2017

🎙 | #Ventura: "It was a step forward. There's everything here to do something significant for the #Azzurri's future." #ItalyAlbania 2-0

— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri_En) March 24, 2017

 | #Verratti: "We prepared well for the match. We respect every opponent. We could have scored more, we created a lot." #ItalyAlbania 

— Italy (@azzurri) March 24, 2017

🎙 | #Verratti: "The #Italy team belongs to everyone if they play or not. You feel important by contributing to the cause."#ItalyAlbania

— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri_En) March 24, 2017

Alessandro Del Piero is often identified as the greatest player ever to pull on the famous black-and-white-striped shirt of Juventus, a living embodiment of the spirit and style of Turin’s grand Old Lady.

His contribution to the history of the Bianconeri and connection with the club’s supporters was discussed at length in a previous post, with his birthday earlier in November offering the perfect opportunity to recall Del Piero’s sheer brilliance.

Yet as fondly remembered as he his for his contributions at club level, the same cannot be said of his time with Italy. Indeed, if Juve’s monochromatic colour scheme brought the best from Del Piero, then for many years, the royal blue of the Azzurri appeared to act as his kryptonite.

His talent was recognised from an early age, with Del Piero representing his country at under-17, under-18 and under-21 level, making a total of 29 appearances and scoring 16 goals but never helping those sides to clinch any honours.

Having made his debut for Juventus in 1993, he would wait almost two years for his first full international appearance. Arrigo Sacchi handed him his maiden cap at the age of 20. The former AC Milan boss introduced the young striker during a UEFA Euro 1996 qualifying match against Estonia on March 25, 1995, with the Azzurri running out 4-1 winners.

Playing another match in that same group in November of that year, Del Piero netted his first goal for Italy, a deflected effort against Lithuania. He followed that up with an assist for Gianfranco Zola just minutes later, with the former Chelsea and Parma man netting a hat-trick and leading the team to the 4-0 victory shown below.

Del Piero had made a good impression, prompting his inclusion for the tournament proper in England. In the first of many international disappointments, a start against Russia marked his only appearance that summer. He was substituted at half-time and watched from the sidelines as Italy crashed out in the group stage.

He rebounded quickly, inspiring Juventus to three consecutive UEFA Champions League final appearances and carrying that form into the 1997 Tournoi de France, a warm-up competition for the impending FIFA World Cup.

The Bianconeri star would shine despite new coach Cesare Maldini’s Italy finishing in last place, claiming top-scorer honours with three goals, netting twice against Brazil and bagging a penalty against France.

As can be seen in the video above, he was superb in the first of those two matches. However, he suffered an injury that left him out of form by the time the World Cup began 12 months later. Del Piero had replaced Roberto Baggio as the idol of Juve fans and as the club’s No. 10, but the Divine Ponytail enjoyed a much better tournament on the game’s biggest stage.

Assists for Christian Vieri against Cameroon and Austria could not mask Del Piero’s lack of fitness and overall poor play, and Maldini repeatedly took him off as Italy advanced to the quarter-finals, where they faced hosts France.

The match ended 0-0 after extra time, with the Azzurri eliminated on penalties and their opponents going on to lift the trophy. The Juve man was criticised for a poor performance prior to being replaced by Baggio in the second half, but much worse was to come.

By the time Euro 2000 began, Del Piero had lost his place in the starting XI to AS Roma’s Francesco Totti, and the Giallorossi skipper would deliver in spectacular fashion throughout the tournament.

Del Piero’s first start came against Sweden, setting up a goal for Luigi Di Biagio and putting the Azzurri on their way to a 2-1 victory. He also scored himself, skipping past two players before curling the ball into the top corner with his left foot. The display ensured he returned to the lineup for the semi-final against the Netherlands after appearing as a substitute in the quarter-final win over Romania.

Italy won the clash with the Oranje on penalties, meaning a rematch with France awaited in the final. Marco Delvecchio gave the Azzurri the lead, and they dominated the game. Two wonderful chances came Del Piero’s way, but he wasted them both.

Had he scored either, his side would almost certainly have won, but a late strike from Sylvain Wiltord sent the match into extra time, and David Trezeguet’s Golden Goal clinched the trophy for Les Bleus.

Thierry Henry comforts Del Piero after France beat Italy at the Euro 2000 Final. pic.twitter.com/8qZvlexSgz

— Soccer St. (@SoccerSt_) February 19, 2016

The next six years saw Italy and Del Piero experience few high points together. The Juve captain's goal against Hungary sealed qualification for the 2002 World Cup, only for the Azzurri to be sensationally eliminated in the second round by South Korea.

Qualification for Euro 2004 saw him net five times in six matches, but in the finals, Italy would be knocked out in the group stage after disappointing displays against Bulgaria, Sweden and Denmark.

At the 2006 World Cup, however, that would all change, as both the player and his team would finally have their moment in the sun. Del Piero had once again been dropped in favour of Totti but made his contribution from the bench in spectacular fashion in the semi-final win over host nation Germany.

My favourite ever Del Piero goal (NB: that is not to say the best) - for Italy, against Germany, in 2006: http://t.co/JwlfY2DX

— Nicky Bandini (@NickyBandini) May 13, 2012

Curling a wonderful shot beyond goalkeeper Jens Lehmann in trademark fashion, the emotion and frustration of over a decade of failure with his country appeared to flow from Del Piero in his celebration.

Meanwhile, then-Oasis star Noel Gallagher revealed his unlikely role in the strike during an interview with the official FIFA website, recounting his meeting with the striker earlier that day:

It was the first time I'd seen Italy play and before the game we went to the hotel and Del Piero was a bit upset because he wasn't starting but he then said, 'I'm going to come off the bench and score!' After the game he said I'd become his lucky mascot so I've got to go to the Final and wear the exact same clothes and underwear and socks to bring him good luck.

It seems the superstitious approach paid off, with the Azzurri winning on penalties. Del Piero netted his spot-kick in the shootout, realising a lifelong dream of lifting that most prestigious of trophies.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cf0x_RFH2bM

"The final, when you take the cup and lift it to the sky, it's beautiful," he told CNN in an interview in 2015. "I can't hide that my greatest victory is the World Cup. Since you're a kid, you think you want to win that. It was massive."

He lost his place over the following two seasons but returned to the squad at Euro 2008 after a nine-month absence. Sadly, normal service had resumed, and Del Piero could not help Italy find their way past quarter-final opponents Spain, marking his last major tournament appearance.

On September 10, 2008, came his final outing for the Azzurri. He set up a goal for Daniele De Rossi, helping the side to a 2-0 win over Georgia. He had amassed 91 caps, netting 27 goals along the way—a tally only bettered by Luigi Riva (35), Giuseppe Meazza (33) and Silvio Piola (30).

Retiring as joint-fourth on the list of Italy's all-time leading scorers and as a World Cup winner, it is hard to criticise his international career. However, there is an inescapable feeling that he could and perhaps should have done so much more.

He will never be remembered as fondly by followers of the Azzurri as he is in Turin, but perhaps given Juve’s status among fans of other clubs, that was always going to be the case.

Italy can seize control of Group G by beating Liechtenstein in their FIFA 2018 World Cup qualifier at the Rheinpark Stadion on Saturday.

Azzurri manager Giampiero Ventura has selected an experienced squad and has presided over an unbeaten run in the last three matches. However, Ventura knows Italy need to keep the pressure on Spain at the top of the group.

The Spanish are also in action, at home to Macedonia, so another win seems likely. It means three points are a must for the Azzurri.

Here are the schedule and streaming details:

    

Date: Saturday, November 12

Time: 7:45 p.m. (GMT). 2:45 p.m. (ET).

Live Stream: Sky Go. Now TV. Fox Soccer 2Go.

    

Preview

The key to Italy's success lies in midfield. Ventura has stuck with the five-man midfield former manager Antonio Conte favoured.

It means there's still room for a host of playmakers in the middle. Paris Saint-Germain schemer Marco Verratti and AC Milan's Giacomo Bonaventura are a duo combining energy and tenacity with vision and technique.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fl63_4etR0Q

Yet it would help if Claudio Marchisio was available. The Juventus workhorse has a keen eye for goal and can add some vital cutting edge to the midfield. Unfortunately, injuries have dogged the 30-year-old. He has now been ruled out with a with a leg problem, per the Italian FA's official site (h/t Press Association Sport, via ESPN FC).

Without Marchisio's trademark late runs into the box, the Italians will be more reliant on their front men to impress. It means the likes of Lazio's Ciro Immobile and Simone Zaza of West Ham United must deliver.

Marchisio isn't the only Juve star set to miss out, though. 

Defender Andrea Barzagli will miss two months with a shoulder injury, according to the club (h/t FourFourTwo). Still, the Azzurri shouldn't expect too much trouble from a Liechtenstein team that's scored just once in its last six matches, per Sky Sports.

Even with injuries, Italy are a good bet to sweep aside Liechtenstein without too much fuss. If the forward line clicks, Ventura's men may even pad their goal difference. That's something sure to be crucial in the tight race with Spain.