Believing direct qualification to Russia wasn't such a huge task, fans and press hoped for a win at home to Spain, and a nice draw in Madrid, so Italy could top the group and sidestep a play-off.

The former Torino boss took over from Antonio Conte after Euro 2016, and although he had fine moments in club coaching, he wasn't used to working with a dressing room as powerful as the Azzurri's.

Valencia's re-invigorated Simone Zaza, who had forced his way back onto the national scene after his Euro 2016 penalty nightmare against Germany, pulled out with injury on Thursday.

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