Playing for 90
Fansided

International break: 11 must watch matches from World Cup qualifiers

By Thuya Kyaw

MANAUS, BRAZIL - SEPTEMBER 06: Neymar player of Brazil celebrates his goal during 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match between Brazil and Colombia at Arena da Amazonia at Arena da Amazonia on September 6, 2016 in Manaus, Brazil. (Photo by Bruno Zanardo/Getty Images)
MANAUS, BRAZIL - SEPTEMBER 06: Neymar player of Brazil celebrates his goal during 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match between Brazil and Colombia at Arena da Amazonia at Arena da Amazonia on September 6, 2016 in Manaus, Brazil. (Photo by Bruno Zanardo/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
11 of 11
Next
PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 27: Thiago Motta of Italy is confronted by Sergio Ramos of Spain during the UEFA Euro 2016 Round of 16 match between Italy and Spain at Stade de France on June 27, 2016 in Paris, France. (Photo by Chris Brunskill Ltd/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 27: Thiago Motta of Italy is confronted by Sergio Ramos of Spain during the UEFA Euro 2016 Round of 16 match between Italy and Spain at Stade de France on June 27, 2016 in Paris, France. (Photo by Chris Brunskill Ltd/Getty Images) /

1. Italy vs Spain

Finally, this will be the most interesting game to look forward to during this international break and it is happening tomorrow at Juventus Stadium in Turin. These two giants have five World Cups and four European Championships between them.

More from Playing for 90

They have met a lot recently and most memorable games include Spain knocking out of Italy in Euro 2008 quarter finals via penalties, then going on to beat them 4-0 to win Euro 2012 and again knocking them out of 2013 Confederations Cup from penalties. However, most recent game between was in 27th of June where Antonio Conte tactically outclassed Vicente Del Bosque to eliminate Spain from Euro 2016.

Conte is no longer the coach of Italy, and Del Bosque had left Spain. The two teams have done the opposite since their recent meeting. Italy had gone on to hire Giampiero Ventura, a 68-year-old man who has never coached outside of his native country while Spain went for a young, energetic coach in Julen Lopetegui. It will be interesting to see what changes they bring to their respective sides, who will be battling for the top spot in Group G.

Italy will most likely depend on their experienced and defensive players such as Gianluigi Buffon, Leonardo Bonucci, Andrea Barzagli, and Daniele De Rossi. While Spanish newspaper AS reports that Diego Costa is set to start for Spain along with an aggressive winger Vitolo while Koke will form a double pivot in midfield with Sergio Busquets to bring in extra energy and aggression. This will be another tactical battle between the two Mediterranean neighbors and one that fans can’t afford to miss out on.

Home/International Soccer