Italy 1 Spain 1: Five things we learnt from the World Cup Qualifying draw… including whether time has finally caught up with Gigi Buffon

IT was a battle between two European heavyweights, and was played at a tenacious pace and had plenty of bite.

But in the end Italy and Spain were forced to settle for a point apiece in Turin after Vitolo's opener for the visitors was cancelled out by Daniele De Rossi's penalty. Here SunSport takes a look at five things we learnt from the World Cup Qualifying clash.

5

Gig Buffon may finally be showing time has caught up with him

Italy were getting battered in the first half, in terms of possession (72 per cent to 28) and on shots at goal.

But they held out until half-time, and had renewed hope that they could sneak something from the game.

Then ten minutes into the second period, Buffon and Mattia De Sciglio had a communication breakdown, and Vitolo nipped in to fire Spain ahead.

It's difficult to tell whether Buffon heard a call from his defender, but racing out of his area, and slowly, may prove that time can catch up even on footballing greats.

5

Diego Costa doesn't care about reputation - or future club-mates

Diego Costa is, as we all know, a fiery character.

Yet up against a potential team-mate tonight in the shape of Italian centre-half Leonardo Bonucci, surely he might tone down his aggressiveness.

Wrong.

The Chelsea frontman and Bonucci fought a running battle all night that resulted in Costa being booked for a flailing arm in the 44th minute. Costa was saved from a potential red after being substituted in the 66th minute.

In the 20th minute, Bonucci had collapsed to the ground holding his face after another Costa "challenge".

If Bonucci completes a £60million move from Juventus to Chelsea in January, there may be work needed on this friendship.

5

Chelsea will be getting a scrapper in Bonucci

While his theatrical dive to the floor clutching his face in the 20th minute was a little embarrassing,if Leonardo Bonucci can mix it against Diego Costa, he should fit straight into the Premier League.

The Juventus defender is a target for Chelsea boss Antonio Conte, who could make him the most expensive defender in the world.

And whether the ball was in the air or on the ground, Bonucci stuck to Costa like a rash, frustrating the Stamford Bridge frontman.

Costa was ultimately subbed in the 66th minute.

Job done.

5

Both managers have work to do

After Euro 2016, Spain dispensed of head coach Vicente Del Bosque after failing to make it out of the groups.

And Italy begrudgingly lost Antonio Conte who opted to make the move back into club management with Chelsea.

Julen Lopetegui took on the Spain job, while Giampiero Ventura was hired by the Italians.

For all Spain's dominance, going in 0-0 at the break was poor, Lopetegui has to address the attacking dynamic.

And so poor were the Italians at chasing and retaining possession, their fans might have to get used to counter-attacking on a regular basis.

5

Now we know who Vitolo is

He may be the lesser-know of Spain's attackers, but Vitolo announced himself against Italy tonight.

He scored one, and although he should have scored more, including when he skewed wide when put through one-on-one, his movement and clever runs showed he is a different option to the brute force of Costa.

Should he continue his goalscoring form with Sevilla this season in La Liga, he could well become a first choice for new boss Julen Lopetegui

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