Ventura warns Italy of Albania's threat to World Cup qualifying effort
Milan - Italy coach Giampiero Ventura has warned a slip-up against minnow Albania would dent the Azzurri's 2018 World Cup qualifying hopes even before a likely group decider away to Spain.
Ventura, who succeeded Chelsea manager Antonio Conte after he led Italy to a commendable quarter-place finish at Euro 2016, has steered Italy to three wins and a draw in its four qualifiers so far.
But with only one team automatically qualifying for Russia 2018, Italy will be forced to a play-off if it finishes second to Spain, who leads Group G ahead of Italy on goal difference.
After being held to a 1-1 draw by La Roja in Turin last October, Italy's World Cup chances may hinge on the return fixture on Sept. 2.
First, though comes Albania, and Ventura, who called the fixture "extremely important," acknowledged the Azzurri fans may be in the minority at the Barbera Stadium on Friday.
"There's no fear, but the result against Albania is extremely important ahead of playing Spain in September," Ventura said at the team's Coverciano training base.
"I've lost a lot of players to injury, including (Alessandro) Florenzi, (Giacomo) Bonaventura, (Andrea) Barzagli, (Giorgio) Chiellini and (Claudio) Marchisio.
"I've told Marchisio and Chiellini I will be counting on them when they are fit enough to return. In the meantime, I expect us to produce solid performances, because we are Italy.
"If we make it to the World Cup, I'm sure we can go on to create a surprise, because the players are hungry for recognition and for success."
Ventura has seen first-hand the power of Albania's fans, who packed Marseille's Stade Velodrome for a 2-0 Euro 2016 defeat to host France on what was its debut in a men's major football tournament.
And he expects a repeat in Sicily.
"I was in Marseille, when three-quarters of the stadium was filled with Albanian supporters," said Ventura.
"And I have Albanian friends who've assured me it will be the same in Palermo."
Albania travels to Palermo on the back of wins over Macedonia and Liechtenstein and defeats to Spain and Israel.