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Spain’s Clash with Italy Is Early Chance for Julen Lopetegui to Set New Tone
Published: October 6, 2016
The concept of future is one that's dominated the discussion around La Roja for two years. Ever since the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, where cracks in an empire revealed themselves, there's been an inevitability in the arrival at this point.
The common line has been evolution not revolution, and the picture ahead has been painted bright as they often are. But as the political commentator George Will once said: "The future has a way of arriving unannounced."
As Spain embark on the next step in their World Cup qualifying campaign, that future is Italy. Or perhaps more accurately, Italy could give Spain a future they don't like, one they hadn't seen coming.
Thursday night's clash between the countries in Turin might only be the second game of their qualifying process, but it already looks significant.
Having been drawn together in the most top-heavy group in Europe, this clash is the highest profile of any in the whole campaign, and that matters. Only 13 teams will qualify for the tournament in Russia from nine groups: the group winners and four more from an eight-team playoff round contested over two legs.
In a group also containing Albania, FYR Macedonia, Israel and Liechtenstein, Spain's pair of clashes with the Italians will likely decide top spot. Miss it, and there are no guarantees one of these heavyweights will make it to Russia.
There it is, then: unannounced.
For Lopetegui, it's fitting that Italy will shape a future that's felt so distant but is suddenly here. Spain's dynasty, after all, began with Italy in the semi-finals of Euro 2008, when a Cesc Fabregas penalty ended the nation's hex with the Azzurri.
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Article Source: Bleacher Report - International Football
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