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The Netherlands secured a 1-1 draw against Italy in the UEFA Nations League earlier today to hand newly appointed manager Frank de Boer his first point in the competition. Both teams approached the game with an attacking mindset and created several chances throughout the game.
The stalemate sees Italy drop to second place in Group 1 of the UEFA Nations League table, with the Netherlands only a point behind in third place. Poland secured a victory against Bosnia and Herzegovina and surprisingly lead the group at the moment.
The game got off to a frenetic start as both Italy and the Netherlands were able to exploit spaces on the flanks to put crosses into the penalty area. Italy took the lead with a brilliantly worked goal as Nicolo Barella threaded the eye of the needle to find Lorenzo Pellegrini, who made no mistake with his finish.
The Italians continued to create chances against an inexplicably high Netherlands back-line. The Dutch hit back before the half-hour mark, however, with Frenkie de Jong and Daley Blind combining to hand Memphis Depay the ball in a dangerous area. Donny van de Beek took full toll of the ensuing chaos to equalise for the Netherlands.
The Netherlands grew in confidence after their goal and started to grow into the game. Luuk de Jong had a few excellent chances in Italy's penalty area but failed to make the most of his headers.
The Netherlands started the second half on a positive note as Frenkie de Jong took control of the midfield and orchestrated several Dutch forays into the final third. Memphis Depay looked threatening and forced Donnarumma into an excellent save.
Ciro Immobile had a golden opportunity to put Italy ahead at the hour-mark but surprisingly failed to get the ball past Jasper Cillessen and into the back of the net. The introduction of Alessandro Florenzi and Moise Kean gave Italy a cutting edge towards the end of the game. The Azzurri were unable to find a winner, however, as both sides shared spoils at the end of an entertaining game.
#5 Flop - Hans Hateboer (Netherlands)
Hans Hateboer was picked ahead of Denzel Dumfries against Italy and did not do his selection any justice on the night. The Atalanta full-back offered precious little in the final third and often cut a hapless figure in his own half as Italy identified his flank as their primary target.
Hateboer lost Pellegrini in the build-up to Italy's opening goal and was regularly caught out of position as the Azzurri exploited the Netherlands' high defensive line. The right-back nearly cost his side another goal as he allowed Immobile a free run at Jasper Cillessen in the second half.
The Atalanta star was also involved in a duel with Leonardo Spinazzola and was consistently beaten for pace by most of Italy's attacking players. Hateboer did himself no favours with his performance and may well find himself down the pecking order in Frank de Boer's squad.
#4 Hit - Nicolo Barella (Italy)
Nicolo Barella's performance in the first 15 minutes of the game stunned the Netherlands into submission. The Inter Milan star took the midfield by storm and created several chances for his side as Italy looked to exploit the space in the final third.
Barella's creativity and persistence ultimately bore fruit as he put the ball on a platter for Lorenzo Pellegrini with an exquisite pass that resulted in Italy taking the lead.
The 23-year-old also won the ball for Italy on several occasions and occupied a wide position in the second half. Nicolo Barella was arguably Italy's best player on the day and gave an excellent account of himself against the Netherlands.
#3 Flop - Luuk de Jong (Netherlands)
Luuk de Jong had a miserable outing in the Netherlands front-line and spurned several opportunities to win the game for Frank de Boer's side. The Sevilla striker was unable to keep the ball against Italy in crucial areas of the pitch and gave possession away on several occasions.
De Jong was up against an experienced Italy defence and struggled to match the intelligence of Giorgio Chiellini. The forward did use his superior physicality to win his fair share of headers but failed to trouble Gianluigi Donnarumma with his efforts in the final third.
Luuk de Jong started alongside Memphis Depay tonight but will likely make way be replaced by Promes or Bergwijn as Frank de Boer continues to ponder over his best eleven. The Sevilla hitman was also caught offside on a number of occasions and failed to provide the Netherlands with a presence in the final third.
#2 Hit - Frenkie de Jong (Netherlands)
Frenkie de Jong has not hit the heights that he is capable of over the past few months but certainly brought his best self to this fixture. After Italy's opening burst, the Barcelona maestro seized the initiative in the midfield and outplayed Marco Verratti over the course of the game.
Frenkie de Jong initiated the move that brought the Netherlands their equaliser and was virtually irrepressible with the ball at his feet. The Dutch midfielder rode several challenges throughout the game and glided effortlessly across the pitch to control the game for the Netherlands.
The young midfielder was up against an adept Italian midfield and stepped up to the plate with ease. Frenkie de Jong's ball retention skills allowed the Netherlands to dominate periods of the game and the Dutch owe most of their forward forays to the enigmatic midfielder.
#1 Flop - Ciro Immobile (Italy)
1-1 scorelines generally do not paint pretty pictures for strikers, and Ciro Immobile was no exception against the Netherlands. The Lazio talisman was rarely involved in Italy's build-up play and had an unusually quiet first-half.
The Italy striker did attempt to break the Netherlands' offside trap on several occasions and found himself in a few good positions in the second half. Immobile always seemed a yard away from the final pass, however, and could not get on to the scoresheet against the Netherlands.
Ciro Immobile had an excellent opportunity to score the winner for Italy after the hour-mark. The prolific forward pounced on a lazy pass from Hateboer and had only Cillessen to beat but failed to find the back of the net.
Italy rely heavily on Immobile to provide the side with a focal point in the final third. While the striker did improve as the game progressed, Italy and Roberto Mancini will want more from their hitman and Ciro Immobile will have to take it up a notch when the UEFA Nations League resumes next month.
