Gian Piero Ventura calls on Italy to combat physicality with talent

Italy coach Gian Piero Ventura is hoping his players can combat Sweden's physicality making use of their footballing talent if they meet again in the next leg of these World Cup playoff on Monday.Italy was outraged at Sweden's physical approach in the initial leg, protesting for yellow cards at perceived excessive contact, and Ventura felt Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir was too lenient.

Italy defender Leonardo Bonucci will play on Monday with a defensive mask after his nose was broken through the match. “I do believe the match has been controlled in a far more sportsmanlike manner,” Ventura said in a media conference on Sunday. “And very much is evident when someone tomorrow must play with a disguise on.“But we're Italy. When we qualify we've to do this by playing football. That doesn't show that Sweden doesn't. I don't know what sort of match it will undoubtedly be tomorrow, but I really hope you will have better sporting behaviour.”