Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/718140
21 Sport maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 24 AUGUST 2016 FOOTBALL Ventura keen to introduce youth into ageing Italy squad NEW Italy coach Giampiero Ventura said he was eager to provide more opportunities for younger players in an ageing na- tional team as he builds a squad for the next World Cup in 2018. First-choice defenders Leon- ardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiel- lini, and Andrea Barzagli, are all aged between 29 and 35, while veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, 38, said that he plans to retire after the World Cup in Russia in two years' time. "I want to find two or three op- portunities to let players aged between 21-23 play in order to have a group of players ready to join the squad in two years," Ventura told reporters on Tues- day. The 68-year-old, who has taken charge after Antonio Conte left for Chelsea, added that he will pick some players from the un- der-21 squad for the World Cup 2018 qualifier against Israel. Ventura will name his first squad on Saturday ahead of a friendly at home to France in Bari on Sept. 1, followed by the opening World Cup qualifier away to Israel on Sept. 5. Spain, Albania, Macedonia and Liechtenstein are Italy's other ri- vals in group G. The former Torino coach said that he was starting from a strong position thanks to the work of Conte who took Italy to the quarter-finals of Euro 2016 in France. "We start from a privileged position, while (Antonio Conte) had to build most of the organi- sation. Now I can dedicate 80 percent of my attention to de- tails and 20 percent to organisa- tion." Ventura had made a habit of following in Conte's footsteps, having replaced him as coach of Bari in 2009. "When Conte left Bari, it was my good fortune, when Conte left the national team, it was my good fortune again," he said. "When Conte leaves Chelsea, I already know my destination," he joked. Italy coach Giampiero Ventura Bravo's impending City arrival set to signal Hart exit CLAUDIO Bravo was pictured leaving Barcelona Airport on Tuesday and his expected move to Manchester City is likely to trigger the departure of England goalkeeper Joe Hart. The 33-year-old Bravo is set for a medical this week at the Etihad Stadium where he will team up again with Pep Guardiola, his former manager at Barca. The Spanish champions said on Saturday they had reached a "preliminary agreement with City" for the sale of the Chile captain. Guardiola confirmed Bravo's imminent arrival when asked about Bravo at a news conference on Tuesday, saying: "I cannot de- ny what everyone knows". Argentine Willy Caballero has been preferred to Hart in City's three games this season but Eng- land's number one could yet fea- ture in Wednesday's Champions League playoff second leg against Steaua Bucharest. "Yes, he has a chance to play," said Guardiola. "I have an excel- lent relationship with Joe, him with me." City go into the second leg holding a commanding 5-0 lead over Steaua. Hart's transformation from City's number one for eight sea- sons to second, and possibly, third choice represents a remark- able turnaround for the 28-year- old. He has made 266 appearances for the club and been a mainstay of their rise to become one of England's major forces. Guardiola is determined to start moves at the back with a goalkeeper who is "able to play with the ball" and has explained that Hart is free to leave if he is unhappy. "I spoke with Joe from the first moment we met," added City's new coach. "I try to be clear with my players and I was clear with him. "The first thing I am looking for from the goalkeeper is to save. After that he has to be able to help us to create a good build- up. That is why I am here." In six seasons at his previous clubs Barca and Bayern Mu- nich, Guardiola's keepers Victor Valdes and Manuel Neuer had the highest passing accuracy rates of any in their respective leagues. Hart may also face a battle to re-establish his international ca- reer although new manager Sam Allardyce has said that he will name him on Sunday in his first squad for next month's World Cup qualifier against Slovakia. Claudio Bravo blocks a penalty