Netherlands vs Italy – International Friendly – Preview

Posted on March 27, 2017 by Sreya

Netherlands vs Italy – Netherlands hosts Italy at the Amsterdam Arena in Noord-Holland on 28th March, Tuesday in an international friendly.

Italy are coming off a 2-0 win over Albania in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers while Netherlands suffered a shocking 2-0 defeat at the hands of Bulgaria. Italy are battling for the top spot in Group G with Spain – with both countries on thirteen points after five games.

Netherlands, meanwhile, are at the risk of missing out on yet another FIFA World Cup as they are six points off the top of Group A. While France are the favorites to qualify from that Group, the battle for the second place is between Sweden and Bulgaria currently.

Team News

Andrea Barzagli has been released from the Italy squad due to personal reasons while Manolo Gabbiadini is sidelined with an injury.

Netherlands Possible Starting Lineup: Jasper Cillessen, Daley Blind, Bruno Martins Indi, Wesley Hoedt, Stefan de Vrij, Kevin Strootman, Jermain Lens, Georginio Wijnaldum, Arjen Robben, Bas Dost, Luuk de Jong.

Italy Possible Starting Lineup: Gianluigi Donnarumma, Leonardo Bonucci, Daniele Rugani, Alessio Romagnoli, Daniele de Rossi, Marco Parolo, Marco Verratti, Roberto Gagliardini, Antonio Candreva, Lorenzo Insigne, Ciro Immobile.

“It’ll be a great game and even if they lost recently, they are still strong. This is going to be an important test for us and I hope we can get a victory to boost morale for the future.

Spain-Italy is going to be a very important match for us. If we need to make a sacrifice and bring the start of the season forward, then we just have to do it – no arguments.’

– Alessio Romagnoli, Italy.

Contributor’s Pick

According to Netherlands vs Italy H2H Stats, Italy have won two, lost one and drew one of their previous five matches with Netherlands. Italy are likely to win this game 2-1.