Italy vs Spain - Leonardo Bonucci claims Spain are favourites against Italy

Posted Wednesday, October 05, 2016 by PA

Italy defender Leonardo Bonucci believes Spain are favourites ahead of their 2018 World Cup qualifier in Turin on Thursday.

The two sides renew their rivalry at the Juventus Stadium just over three months after the Azzurri claimed a dramatic 2-0 victory over La Roja at Euro 2016 in June, ending Spain's hopes of a record third consecutive European Championship title.

The defeat saw an end to Vicente del Bosque's reign, with Julen Lopetegui stepping in, and Spain have since scored 10 goals in two games - beating Roberto Martinez's Belgium 2-0 before putting eight past minnows Liechtenstein in their opening Group G qualifier.

The Azzurri, who have also undergone a managerial change with Giampiero Ventura replacing Antonio Conte, recorded a 3-1 win over Israel in Haifa despite playing with 10 men and Bonucci warned his side to expect a tough test on Thursday.

"We're expecting a different Spain side with respect to the one we faced at the Euros," told a press conference. "They will have fresh motivation, they'll be in a new state of mind and looking to avenge their Euro 2016 defeat.

"We have to step up a gear with respect to how we played against Israel."

When asked if Spain are favourites in Turin, the Juventus defender answered: "Totally, yes. And if we're to upset predictions we'll have to play like we did at the Euros, with pace, commitment and by being clinical in front of goal."

Italy will be without Bonucci's central defensive partner Giorgio Chiellini, who will serve a suspension after his red card against Israel last month, meaning AC Milan's Alessio Romagnoli should replace him.

Napoli and Spain forward Jose Callejon, who has been recalled to the national side for the first time since 2014, expects the match to be a tactical affair.

"It will be a tactical match, they'll pressure us at the top, that's what (Giampiero) Ventura's teams tend to play," he told the national team's website.

"It's a motivating rival, one of the best national teams and we play away. The Italy match could place us at the top of the standings, we have to look at it like that and try to win."

Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera could earn his first senior cap for Spain after being called up by Lopetegui.