Guus Hiddink’s first game back in charge of Netherlands ended in defeat as his 10-man side was defeated 2-0 by Italy in Bari.
- By Michael Bell
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Netherlands success at the World Cup was built around Louis van Gaal’s 5-3-2 formation, which saw the Dutch stay strong at the back, while also remain a threat up front with the pace of Robben, and the skills of Van Persie. However new coach Guus Hiddink returned to the traditional 4-3-3 for the match in Italy, and without Arjen Robben, his new side were found lacking.
After only three minutes a long ball forward split the four man defence, and Ciro immobile broke through before rounding a stranded Jasper Cillessen and slotting into the empty net.
Six minutes later things wen’t from bad to worse for Hiddink as another ball over the top set Italian winger Simone Zaza free, and after being bundled over in the box the referee awarded a penalty, and showed Bruno Martins Indi a straight red card. Daniele de Rossi slotted the penalty past Cillessen, and it appeared bleak for Netherlands. Zaza forced Cillessen into a smart save before the twenty minute mark as Italy threatened to run riot.
Netherlands created nothing in the first half with Dirk Kuyt providing no pace alongside an isolated Robin Van Persie, who finally had his first chance early in the second period, but the Manchester united forward fired wide.
Wesley Sneijder was behind Netherlands only shot on target during the match but his long range effort was eventually pounced on by a caught out Salvatore Sirigu. Italy were comfortable throughout the second half without adding a third goal, and new coach Antonio Conte will be pleased with his side’s 2-0 win.
It was a poor performance by Netherlands, but next Tuesday against Czech Republic will be the first real match to judge Guus Hiddink, and although he got his starting eleven and tactics all wrong tonight, a win in the first European Championship qualifier will see it all forgotten.
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Indi is a weak link. Can’t play 4-3-3 with him and going to 10 men was it. Team has no pace without Robben and Depay. Kuyt is not good enough to play up front. Hiddink does not have the players he had in 98 so he has to rethink. LVG got everything out of the Oranje in Brazil. All Feyenoord backs left and got big heads from the WC but look what just happened. Only a friendly but unless they can get Depay and Afellay in some how without Robben the first qualifier could be troublesome. Kuyt offers no offense he works like a dog but accomplishes very little. Time for Krul as Cilessen is not an intimidating GK.
Saw the full match only via youtube.
Was disappointed with the starting eleven choice by hiddink and the rest was history.
Hope they will “wake-up” for the czech away match.