Netherlands switched formations and looked much better as they drew 1-1 in Bergamo against Italy.
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Frank de Boer decided to line-up in a 5-3-2 formation with Nathan Ake coming into the eleven, while Memphis Depay partnered Luuk de Jong up front.
The start was bright but in the 15th minute, Italy carved Netherlands open and Lorenzo Pellegrini finished past Jasper Cillessen from an excellent Nicolo Barella pass.
Cillessen prevented Ciro Immobile making it 2-0 as Netherlands defence continued to look shaky. However, in the 25th minute, Donny van de Beek fired Netherlands level after the ball bounced round the Italy box. It was the Manchester United midfielder’s first goal for Oranje.
Netherlands then took control and had chances with Wijnaldum failing to find Memphis in a good situation, before Luuk de Jong failed to find the net with a header from Daley Blind’s cross. Italy also remained dangerous before the break, and Cillessen was called into action a few times.
Early in the second half, Wijnaldum saw a strike deflected just over the bar as Netherlands looked for the lead. Gianluigi Donnarumma then had to make an excellent save to deny Memphis.
Netherlands were in control but in the 58th minute, Hans Hateboer presented Immobile with a great chance, but he could only fire straight at Cillessen.
As the second half wore on, Netherlands began to sit deeper and Italy looked the more likely to score. However, Oranje held on well and took a point away.
Netherlands sit third in the group, behind Italy and Poland, who go top after beating Bosnia and Herzegovina 3-0.
Improved? LOL. Who wrote this? That game was pathetic. No passion no desire no nothing. Terrible start as a manager for de Boer, they are 3rd in the table and what is de Boer doing in 2nd half? He is happy with the score. At least he wasn’t losing again. He defends. No pressing just stay with whole team at your half and wait for miracle.
Belowe average players like Hateboer, Blind (one good pass today but slow old and with heart problems), Babel have to be cut. There are planty of better players in Eredivisie alone like Joey Veerman. This team has no future with this kind of players and this manager:(
Great assesment. I was ready to say the same thing. I must add that the team also made a few very big errors. Thankfully Cilleson was in the right position to stop a score. Let us hope there is vast improvement before the next games.
Wow, what an amatuerish response. The person who wrote this is mercifully far more informed than you are.
The way you talk, it’s clear that anything short of a 2-0 or 3-0 victory is a bad performance. If you expect this side to be world beaters at this time, you are deluded. Just throwing “good” new Eredivisie players into the mix and expecting them to immediately solve problems doesn’t work, it’s been tried before many times without success.
Certainly the team is far short of what it’s capable of and I agree that Babel has to go, but thinking this game wasn’t an improvement on the last 2 matches bears the mark of a six-year old’s mindset.
I was very skeptical and full of doubt that my beloved Oranje can produce a positive result.
Prior to kickoff, I was pleased to see a 5-3-2, but was unsure of Hateboer.
The game started and it felt that the team wasn’t quite ready and went behind to a great incisive Italian pass, but I did not feel that all is lost.
Then they pinned Italy down and should have scored more than 1 if their attack was a bit more decisive. Luuk was put up as a striker, what is he doing laying the ball to DVB ? Take the shot !! Also credit to old man Chiellini! He saved Italy times and again.
They need someone to play with Memphis and give them added threat and finishing touch, sorry I did not see it from Luuk.
Now, midfield was vastly improved and Frenkie is just plain awesome! He is a super star, I can’t wait to see him get better and better, just breathtaking!
Defensively they were not bad but need to improve still. Keep in mind, De Ligt hasn’t been fit. I have concerns with the RB position. Hateboer and Dumfries did not impress. Hateboer almost cost them the game!!
The result was fair given both sides chances, but Holland played better and deserved 3 points.
I have to give credit to FDB for the putting together the game plan, but I must also knock him down for not reacting to Mancini’s subs! Italy dominated the last 15 minutes and Holland looked lethargic toward the end. Ok I’ll give him credit for Veltman, but fresh legs were needed! God I hope I never see Babel (or Promes) ever again.
Koeman mastered making adjustments and I know that he is no longer here, but Frank needs to do the same. This group is still open, but Italy has the edge assuming both Italy and Holland win out.
Step in the right direction, hopefully they keep improving and hit their stride in time for the Euro
Time will tell
I thought that was a better performance from the Oranje tonight. More fluid passing and chances on goal. Their were some errors in defense but I thought the team deserved a draw.
There are some positions that need fixing.
1. a new rightback- Dumfries or Zeefuik.
2. a new left back- Wyndal or Bakker
3. I would like to see Joey Veerman In place of Wynaldum.
4. A new centre forward- Malen, Boadu, or Sierhuis.
how about this lineup
Cillessen- Zeefuik, De Ligt, Van Dyk, Bakker-
Veerman, F.De Jong, Koopmeiners- Stengs, Malen, Depay.
Very good lineup but sadly it will never happen.
I can’t undrestand why invite bad and old players like bobel , look de jong and …. but don’t give a chance to young players like boadu, stengs , chong, kluivert, bobby, ihatran and alot of other young talents , i regeret when see a 16 years player have chance in french national team but about nethralands we can’t see some players like hansen and javi simons; i tink if netherlands whant make a change in national team at the first should back to total football and give chance to young talents, for this they need at the first to a coach that believe to total football and young players, if we want to be a fan for defensive footbll we select italy instead nerherlands
i think 532 is the best formation for this type of players i remember that koman also changed his tactics in many matches to 532 so it works well and frenkie is the engine of this formation he was outstanding that night i only have some concerns
-i recognized that the defensive line was very high that all italian players passed easily in the first 30 minutes and could have scored more goals in that period but after that the defense did well but they must take care because our defense line could be broken easily if they dont take care of their position luckily we have 4 world class defenders so i am not afraid they will improve by the time
-this formation needs two dynamic forwards luuk de jong(without the lost open header) was good but malen could have been better he is tall and fast so he could link up well with memphis
-our full-backs are still a headache in this formation blind is smart to play in lb position but he is slow and so do ake i saw italy players outspeed them in different occasions so i think PVA will be the best player with this formation with ake covering him going forward will be tough to handle for the right back position we dont have a quality player for this position hateboer is doing well at a high level in bergamo but in the national team he is not good dumfries is better but we still need a better player for this position
-one last thing wijnaldum form concerns i used to see him well in the netherlands than liverpool but this year he is very bad in both i hope he regain his form or his position will be under threaten we can try berguis,bergwijn or ihatteren in his position
finally yes i see an improvement in the game i dont support FDB but i must give him credits this time and hopefully a lot of improvements happens next month and prove us all wrong