Italy eye Israel win

Brazil’s Neymar (left) and Gabriel Jesus at a training session on Saturday, ahead of their 2018 World Cup South American qualifier against Colombia at the Arena Amazonia Stadium in Manaus, Brazil, on Tuesday. (Photo: AFP)

New Italy coach Giampiero Ventura said he was unconcerned by Thursday’s home defeat to France ahead of his team’s opening World Cup qualifier in Israel on Monday.

The 2006 World Cup champions slumped to a 3-1 defeat in Bari on Thursday but Ventura, who took over the Azzurri hotseat from new Chelsea manager Antonio Conte, does not expect such a stern test in Haifa.

“With the greatest of respect, Israel aren’t France. We will analyse (the) match, we’ll look at some errors that we can avoid and I’m sure we’ll put in a better performance,” Ventura, 68, said.

Even so, there is anxiety in the Italian camp with striker Graziano Pelle, who scored against France, insisting: “There are no excuses, we must beat Israel.”

Italy are expected to battle with Spain for top spot in Group G and the only automatic qualification place.

The 2010 world champions begin their campaign against minnows Liechtenstein while Albania and Macedonia round out the group.

The winners of each group will qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, while the eight best runners-up advance to the play-offs.

Midfield orchestrator Marco Verratti says Italy are up against it.

“We have been put in a difficult group, but if we do what what we can then we have a good chance of getting through,” he said.