They have a lot of quality – Luciano Spalletti warns Italy of Israel threat

Italy head coach Luciano Spalletti insists Israel will give his side plenty to think about despite their difficult start to life in the Nations League top tier.

After winning promotion, Israel have found the going tough in Group A2 so far, losing all three of their games including a 4-1 defeat by France in Budapest on Thursday night.

The Azzurri, meanwhile, are unbeaten and a point clear at the top of the table, although they surrendered a two-goal lead to draw with Belgium last time out at the Stadio Olimpico, where Lorenzo Pellegrini was sent off just before half-time.

Despite having already beaten Israel last month, Spalletti says Italy must not allow themselves to be complacent for Monday night’s game in Udine.

“It is a tough one to predict because they alternate between two systems,” Spalletti said in an interview with Italian Football Federation media channels.

“Sometimes they change from the off, sometimes midway through the game, so you have to be ready for their quality, and they have a lot.

“They have technicians in midfield and good dribblers. The risk of getting caught on the counter-attack because of their quality is high.”

Spalletti indicated he is likely to again make changes from the Belgium game, where Italy had been 2-0 up after first-half goals from Andrea Cambiaso and Mateo Retegui.

“It is something you have to do, you have to try to be organised in setting the team up ” said Spalletti.

“But with little time between the games, just over 24 hours left, so you just keep checking on it.”

Spalletti, though, wants full focus from his side, having allowed Belgium to fight back for a draw against 10 men.

“(You have to improve) the fact of understanding that certain episodes can impact everything,” he said.

“It is the quality of your play, your teamwork, something you have designed in the correct way – but moments can take that all away, so knowing that this risk exists would be perfect.”

Spalletti had two stints in charge of Udinese during the early 2000s and is looking forward to another trip back to Stadio Friuli.

“I had a great time in Udine. It is a place that helped me to develop in sport and as a man,” said former Roma, Inter and Napoli boss Spalletti.

“It is a great city with wonderful people. It is always the same going back, it will be emotional.”

Israel midfielder Omri Gandelman had equalised against France, but having trailed 2-1 at half-time, Ben Shimon’s side could not go on to take a positive result, conceding twice during the closing minutes.

“We are developing as a team every day we are here,” Gandelman said on UEFA.com.

“Every game against this level of opponent makes us better and we hope to achieve some better results in our last three matches.”

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