starring roles in Spain-Italy showdown
Spain and Italy are old enemies, but when they resume their rivalry in
Saturday's crucial tie, all eyes will be on Marco Asensio and Andrea
Belotti, two youngsters who have revitalized their team's attack
options.
The astronomer of Real Madrid Asensio, 21, and the 23-year-old forward Torino Belotti, were absent when Italy defeated Spain in Euro 2016 last year but have since become two of the attacking players Most exciting in Europe.
The former world champions are tied for 16 points at the top of Group G and the winner of Saturday's showdown will be heavily placed to crown the group and automatically qualify for the 2018 World Cup, leaving the runner to fight in a play-off .
Belotti, dubbed the rooster, who scored 26 goals for Torino last season and scored four goals from four starts in Italy's qualifying round, is central to Italy's hopes of leaving the Bernabeu victorious.
Last season he left the track in Turin's 3-0 victory over Sassuolo, prompting coach Sinisa Mihajlovic to comment that the striker won 100 million dollars.
Asensio, known as the bullfighter by his Madrid mates, has demonstrated his own ability to score sensational goals. He did it again with two goals out of the zone in a 2-2 draw with
Valencia on Sunday and has totted up to four goals this season.
Asensio started the UEFA European Under-21 Championship in June with a hat-trick in the opening match against Macedonia and helped Spain beat Italy in the semi-finals before finishing runners to Germany.
A 10-minute cameo role in a World Cup qualifying match against Liechtenstein last year and two friendly appearances are his only appearances for Spain's first team, but his unbridled start to the season make him a likely Holder on their own land.
In addition to his goals against Valencia, Asensio scored two shocking blows against Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup, consolidating his reputation as the highest stage after winning the Champions League final against Juventus.
Asensio has also scored in all competition debuts for Madrid, and few would bet against him continuing that race in his first competitive start for Spain.
"We will enjoy it for many years, but he easily deserves to start now," said David Villa, the all-time Spanish top scorer who has been reminded of the squad.
The astronomer of Real Madrid Asensio, 21, and the 23-year-old forward Torino Belotti, were absent when Italy defeated Spain in Euro 2016 last year but have since become two of the attacking players Most exciting in Europe.
The former world champions are tied for 16 points at the top of Group G and the winner of Saturday's showdown will be heavily placed to crown the group and automatically qualify for the 2018 World Cup, leaving the runner to fight in a play-off .
Belotti, dubbed the rooster, who scored 26 goals for Torino last season and scored four goals from four starts in Italy's qualifying round, is central to Italy's hopes of leaving the Bernabeu victorious.
Last season he left the track in Turin's 3-0 victory over Sassuolo, prompting coach Sinisa Mihajlovic to comment that the striker won 100 million dollars.
Asensio, known as the bullfighter by his Madrid mates, has demonstrated his own ability to score sensational goals. He did it again with two goals out of the zone in a 2-2 draw with
Valencia on Sunday and has totted up to four goals this season.Asensio started the UEFA European Under-21 Championship in June with a hat-trick in the opening match against Macedonia and helped Spain beat Italy in the semi-finals before finishing runners to Germany.
A 10-minute cameo role in a World Cup qualifying match against Liechtenstein last year and two friendly appearances are his only appearances for Spain's first team, but his unbridled start to the season make him a likely Holder on their own land.
In addition to his goals against Valencia, Asensio scored two shocking blows against Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup, consolidating his reputation as the highest stage after winning the Champions League final against Juventus.
Asensio has also scored in all competition debuts for Madrid, and few would bet against him continuing that race in his first competitive start for Spain.
"We will enjoy it for many years, but he easily deserves to start now," said David Villa, the all-time Spanish top scorer who has been reminded of the squad.
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