Head coach of Italy Giampiero Ventura admitted that he did not plan to enter the world championship from the first place in the group.

Following the qualification for the World Cup 2018 Italy took second place in Group G, conceding to the first line the team of Spain.

According to the head coach of Italians Giampiero Ventura, he initially expected to get into the play-offs.

"Since the moment we got into the rivals for the group of the Spanish team, we knew that we need to get into the playoffs," Ventura said. "Because for me, it's no surprise that we are now playing in the play-offs".

"Nevertheless, we are Italy, because we must go to the World Cup, showing great football".

In the first joint duel for the exit to the World Cup, the Italians lost to Sweden at the score 0: 1.