After the win against Poland, Netherlands host Italy looking to take full control of their Nations League group. Kick-off is at 7.45pm.
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It wasn’t easy on Friday night, but Netherlands overcame an organised Poland side 1-0 thanks to Steven Bergwijn’s second half goal.
Netherlands go top of the Nations League group which is important in terms of World Cup qualification seeding. Now, Italy is visiting Amsterdam, and Oranje is looking for a win that would put them in command of the group after only two games.
Interim coach Dwight Lodeweges is expecting a tough game from the Azzurri, “Truly a top country, that has completely changed the playing style compared to a few years ago. We look alike, both want to be in charge on the field. It can be a very interesting game.”
Italy went into the Nations League in good form but they could only manage a 1-1 draw against Bosnia & Herzigovina in their opener.
Roberto Mancini is also expecting a more entertaining game, “This will certainly be a more attractive game than against Bosnia, because there will be more spaces and they will attack more.”
Team News
Lodeweges is hoping to have Denzel Dumfries back for the clash against Italy after the PSV right-back missed the win over Poland due to his wife giving birth.
Other than that, Lodeweges may stick with the same eleven that defeated Poland. Mohammed Ihattaren, Owen Wijndal and Perr Schuurs could make their debuts at some point.
Possible Netherlands line-up: Cillessen, Dumfries, Ake, Veltman, Van Dijk, De Roon, F. De Jong, Wijnaldum, Promes, Bergwijn, Memphis
Mancini has a squad packed with experience and young talents, but PSG midfielder Marco Verratti is not part of the squad. Young Sassuolo duo Manuel Locatelli and Francesco Caputo could make their debuts.
Up front, Ciro Immobile will be a big danger, while Roma talent Nicolo Zaniolo could come into the starting eleven having started on the bench against Bosnia.
Possible Italy line-up: Donnarumma, Florenzi, Biraghi, Bonucci, Chiellini, Jorginho, Barella, Pellegrini, Insigne, Zaniolo, Immobile
Odds
Netherlands 23/20 Draw 23/10 Italy 12/5
Previous Meetings
Netherlands do not have a good record against Italy, having won only three out of 21 games between the two nations, while 10 have been losses.
The last Netherlands win was a 3-0 victory back in 2008 during the European Championships. The last meeting was a 1-1 draw back in 2018.
Can Netherlands make it two wins from two?
If Netherlands can get a win against Italy then the group really is in Oranje’s hands with ties against Bosnia coming up.
Italy will be a stronger opponent than Poland, but that may play into Netherlands hands with the attack getting more space going forward.
Poland played very deep but Italy could be more expansive. If the Netherlands defence remains tight and Memphis can get on the ball more up front then a win is definitely possible.
Italy are a bogey team for Netherlands though so would be big bonus points for Lodeweges if he can oversee a win against the Italians. It would also be good to see Ihattaren get a chance at some point to come on.
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