When Leonardo Bonucci lines up for Italy against Spain on Thursday it'll be his first appearance in the World Cup qualifiers. That's because the centre back missed out on the opening game to Israel because of his son's illness.
Bonucci was part of an excellent centre back partnership for the national team alongside Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli in the Euros last summer. However he had to back out of the team in September as his son Matteo was very ill.
The Juventus centre back is back in the squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Spain on Thursday and Macedonia on Sunday. Before the game against the team they beat so brilliantly in the Euros Bonucci opened up about the impact his son's illness had:
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"What I've been through in the last few months has given me a lot of strength. I thank my son and my wife, we fought hard together.
"Matteo has given me so much strength, as have Lorenzo and my wife. These are the moments when you grow, the real important things.
"I can understand some criticism or discussion, scolding or grumbling, because there is always room to improve, but there are more important things in life than a bad clearance."
Italy sit level on points with Spain at the top of Group G but each team has only played once each. Along with their upcoming opponents and Israel the Azzuri will also face Albania and Liechtenstein to qualify for Russia 2018.
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In each group only one team can qualify automatically so the match on Thursday could be huge.
For Bonucci he knows it's not a matter of life and death and just football!
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