Antonio Conte said facing Spain will be “extra motivation” for Italy in 2018 World Cup qualifying.
The Azzurri were drawn in Group G along with Spain, Albania, Israel, Macedonia and Liechtenstein.
“Facing a quality opponent like Spain has to represent extra motivation for the Nazionale and the entire Italian football movement,” declared Coach Conte.
Antonio Conte said facing Spain will be “extra motivation” for Italy in 2018 World Cup qualifying.
The Azzurri were drawn in Group G along with Spain, Albania, Israel, Macedonia and Liechtenstein.
“Facing a quality opponent like Spain has to represent extra motivation for the Nazionale and the entire Italian football movement,” declared Coach Conte.
“Our first thought has to be aimed at qualifying for next year’s European Championship. We must give our best to earn our place in the tournament’s final phase.”
Only the group winners go through automatically to the tournament, as the second placed sides go into a play-off round in November 2017.
Italy have not won any of their last four competitive meetings with Spain.
However, the last time the Azzurri failed to qualify for a World Cup was Sweden 1958.