It was curious to see the Italian Football Federation hand manager Giampiero Ventura a contract extension less than a year after giving him the national team job. After all, it's not like qualification for next summer's World Cup is already in the bag as it is for Brazil. Italy are neck-and-neck with Spain at the top of Group G but inferior goal difference means they will likely have to go through a playoff unless they win at the Bernabeu on Saturday night.
The thinking behind the decision is interesting because its motivation seems to be more about allowing Ventura to prepare for this game with peace of mind than anything he has achieved up until now.