MILAN -- Italy coach Gian Piero Ventura has asked league officials to start the Serie A season earlier next year to ensure the Azzurri are better prepared for their key World Cup qualifier against Spain.Spain tops Group G, above Italy on goal difference after four games. The two drew 1-1 in October in Turin and the return match is scheduled for Sept. 2. Only group winners qualify directly for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.This years Serie A campaign began Aug. 20.Were a bit set in our ways, but everyone else starts August 13, Ventura said. Its in the national interest to play on level terms. Ive already asked to play at least two more league matches. In a moment of madness I asked for three, but they told me to check myself into hospital.Italy lost an international friendly 3-1 to France in Venturas first match in charge in September, just two matches into the league season.This year we had very little Serie A before playing France and we paid the price, Ventura added. I hadnt even talked to any players until 48 hours before the match ...We lost 3-1 and it was labeled a disaster because thats the culture that we have here.Ventura, who was speaking at a press conference in Milan ahead of Tuesdays friendly against Germany, says league officials are mulling it over.I know it will be difficult, said the former Torino coach. But you have to change things by 360 degrees or youll go forward in dribs and drabs. In order to achieve great things you have to create the prerequisites.The league campaign in France and England started on Aug. 13 this year, while the Spanish season got underway the following week, on the same day as the Italian one.The German Bundesliga started a week after that. D. J. Wilson Jersey . According the Toronto Star, a knee injury will keep Sundin out of the lineup, which includes former teammates Gary Roberts, Darcy Tucker, Tie Domi and Curtis Joseph. Pau Gasol Bucks Jersey .com) - The women will also have a new champion at the Australian Open. https://www.bucksrookiesshop.com/Ray-Allen-City-Edition-Jersey/ . Clarkson had been dealing with an elbow injury in early January and will be out of action for at least one week. He has three goals and five assists through 36 games with the Leafs this season. Frank Mason Bucks Jersey . Scott won the Australian PGA last week in his first event in Australia since winning the U.S. Masters in April. American Matt Kuchar, ahead by two strokes with four to play and even with Scott with one to go, double-bogeyed the 18th after taking two shots to get out of a bunker. Sterling Brown Jersey . The Swede became the first golfer to win the PGA Tours FedEx Cup and European Tours Race to Dubai in the same season. "It is still taking a little time to sink in what Ive achieved this week as was the case when I won the FedEx Cup but then it just kept getting better and better as the days went on and I am sure this will be the same," he said. Four-time UFC title challenger Urijah Faber will look to snap a two-fight skid against Brad Pickett at UFC Fight Night on Dec. 17 in Sacramento, California.The televised card is scheduled to take place in Fabers hometown at Golden 1 Center. The Sacramento Bee first reported the bantamweight bout.Faber (33-10) is riding the first losing streak of his 13-year professional career. He came up short in a five-round title bid against Dominick Cruz at UFC 199 in June and followed that with a three-round decision loss to Jimmie Rivera in September.The 37-year-old Faber is a longtimme staple of the Sacramento fight scene.dddddddddddd He is the founder of Team Alpha Male, which currently includes?Chad Mendes, Cody Garbrandt, Paige VanZant and others.Pickett (25-12) is coming off a first-round submission loss to Iuri Alcantara earlier this month. The American Top Team veteran is 1-4 in his past five fights.A female strawweight fight between VanZant (7-2) and Michelle Waterson (13-4) is scheduled to headline the Dec. 17 event. ' ' '