Italy vs Netherlands
Following another weekend of superb Nations League action, the third round of games is done and dusted and we can briefly catch our breath. Then we move on the fourth round; with Nations League: Italy vs Netherlands the big midweek clash at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo, on Wednesday night.
After the early exchanges, Group A1 took the shape of a three-way battle between Italy, the Netherlands and Poland with little to choose between the three. Poland has the most lethal striker on the planet in Robert Lewandowski. But the Azzurri have been in scintillating form, while the Netherlands continue their progress under Frank de Boer. And it’s quite a turnaround for both teams who missed out on the 2018 World Cup where they were sadly missed.
At 12th and 13th in the FIFA World Rankings Italy and Netherlands are just outside the favourites for Euro 2020, but they are on the up and are aiming high. Italy boss Roberto Mancini has a young squad full of talent while the Oranje boasts arguably the best centre back in world football.
The Italy vs Netherlands highlights will be well worth a watch if the two teams hit anywhere near their potential.
Talking points
Mancini has Italy playing without fear
Having missed out on the World Cup finals for the first time since 1958 Italian football was in shock and it took a while for it to recover. But head coach Mancini has the Azzurri playing with passion once again and he has a plentiful supply of players desperate to wear the famous blue shirt.
Italy midfielder Nicolo Barella dribbling past Poland defenders
He made wholesale changes last week for the 6-0 dismantling of Moldova and the second string performed superbly, but Mancini brought back some of his big players for the Sunday night meeting with Poland. Leonardo Bonucci returned to lead the Azzurri’s defence while Federico Chiesa started up front alongside Torino’s Andrea Belotti, with 2020 Serie A top scorer Ciro Immobile on the bench.
In the middle of the park, Chelsea’s Jorginho is a player who can control the tempo of the play, while having a range of passing that can unlock a stubborn defence.
Virgil can lead the Netherlands to success
Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk has long been listed as one of the best defenders in the world and his colossal performances for Liverpool were a major reason why the Reds stormed to Premier League success last season. Now he wants to lead his country to similar heights and he leads a sound defensive unit, currently alongside Stefan de Vrij but with Nathan Ake in the wings.
Since the departure of former head coach Ronald Koeman to Barcelona, the Oranje were initially led by Dwight Lodeweges, before Frank de Boer was appointed to the hot seat in September. After tricky spells at Crystal Palace in the Premier League and Atalanta United in the MLS, former Dutch playing legend De Boer is happy to be back home, but after losing his opening match in charge, against Mexico, and drawing with Bosnia on Sunday, he is looking for his first win.
De Boer knows how important Van Dijk is to his plans, while further forward he has a number of key players who can score the goals he needs. Spurs striker Steven Bergwijn bagged the only goal in the Netherlands’ victory over Poland at the start of this campaign, while Luuk de Jong is an imposing presence in the opponent’s penalty area.
Lyon striker Memphis Depay has pace to burn while there will be a threat from the flanks in the shape of Hans Hateboer. The Atalanta wing back has a dangerous delivery and an eye for goal.
Netherlands need to be sharper than they were in Sunday’s game away to Bosnia. The Oranje had almost 70 per cent possession and won the shot count by 15 to six and four to one on target, but still came away with a 0-0 draw.
History
A Nicola Barella header gave Italy a 1-0 victory over the Netherlands back in September, and on the last three occasions the Azzurri have hosted this fixture they have won one and drawn two.
Recent form favours Mancini’s men too. They have won four and drawn two of the last six, while the Netherlands have two wins, two draws and two defeats.
Betting Tip
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Italy vs Netherlands | Under 2.50 @ 1.80 |
| October 15, 02:45 (GMT+8) |
The Italy vs Netherlands betting odds here at SBOTOP tell us we’re in for a great contest, with the Azzurri favourites to win at odds of 2.20 while the draw is at 3.40 and the Oranje are at 3.20 to take all three points.
Group A1 is still as tight as ever after Italy drew 0-0 with Poland and lead the group by a single point over their two rivals.
Both Italy and the Netherlands have dangerous players in attack, but they each have exceptional defences and impressive organisation. The contest between Van Dijk and Immobile will be well worth watching, and the winner of that could well decide the outcome of the game.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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 = €20 (Highly confident) |
= €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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The post UEFA Nations League: Italy and Netherlands are Aiming High appeared first on SBOTOP.