Italy coach Giampiero Ventura has been speaking ahead of Sunday night’s World Cup qualifier against Macedonia. The build up to the game has been dominated by the show of petulance from striker Graziano Pelle after he was substituted in the 1-1 draw against Spain in Turin on Thursday. Ventura explained that; “He lacked respect not only towards me but to the rest of the group and the Italian shirt. This behaviour is not acceptable.”
 

On the subject of what he would change from the Spanish game he stated that; “(Marco) Verratti is one of the strongest players in the squad and he will play. He was not fit enough against the Spanish. We will certainly change something for this match although we could have won the game on Thursday. We must be wary of Macedonia because although they have lost their opening two matches they have had some bad luck.”

Steve Mitchell @barafundler