A very important match for both the Netherlands and Italy. Deciding if the Dutch will stay at the top of their group and get their EURO 2025 tickets. After 94 minutes of play the match ended in a 0-0 draw. This is our match report the Netherlands vs Italy in the EURO 2025 Qualifiers.
Dominant start for the Netherlands
In the first minutes of the match, the teams seem to be feeling each other out. Italy does not know what to do with the pressure from the Dutch, but the Oranje Leeuwinnen lose the ball as soon as they get near the box. Italy recovers the ball quickly a couple of times, but then the Dutch defenders are back in place in no time. A lot of back and forth.
Wieke Kaptein and Esmee Brugts are two Dutch talents who really show themselves in the first minutes. The first real chance is for the Netherlands. Miedema sees Brugts run on the left. Brugts tries to find Beerensteyn, but the ball changes course after an Italian defender touches it. Van de Donk managed to get it to Beerensteyn in the box, but again the Italian defence stopped the shot.
After ten minutes of play, Italy gets a shot at goal. Canore missed target, but it shows that Italy is getting in the game more and more. The slippery field did not help either team. Many players tripped and slipped.
The Dutch regrouped after the 15-minute mark. Italy had a few chances, getting closer to the box, but nothing dangerous. The Netherlands answered that with a free kick in a good spot, but Spitse did not manage to get it to a fellow player in the box. Miedema and Brugts created the opportunities by recovering the ball in brilliant places.
Italy gets their head back in the game
Italy had their first real chance through Caruso. She ran behind Spitse and got the ball in front of Lize Kop. Spitse did not give up and blocked her shot. This resulted in a corner kick for Italy, but Kop saved Bonansea’s header.
A game where the Dutch were the more dominant team for a long time. Italy was in no rush, walked to their free kicks and took their time. The Netherlands wanted to use this. Their pressure and speed are something Italy has trouble with. After Giacinti’s chance, Italy got some fresh energy. Lize Kop had to make a brilliant save after the Dutch were a bit sloppy with defending.
Weak link in the Dutch defence
Fact is that after thirty minutes of play, Italy had more chances. The Netherlands does not know how to defend against the counters from Italy. When the Netherlands does create a chance, the delivery is not good enough. Their wingers are doing an amazing job together with midfield to get the ball to the front. But actually delivering it…is a problem.
Towards the end of the first half, it’s still Italy with the pressure. The Dutch are mostly defending and really need that break. The weak link seems to be Sherida Spitse. The captain is not fast enough to keep up with the Italian attackers. Andries Jonker seems worried on the sideline. What will he say to his players? Italy is a tough opponent, and they are remembering the Dutch why. A few minutes before the break Miedema had to step in and keep a ball off her own goal line. The forward headed the ball away. A very important save just before halftime. The statistics at this time show that Italy had 8 attempts versus the Dutch with only 3 attempts.
Match Report the Netherlands vs Italy: Changes in defence
That something in the Dutch defence needed to change was clear. Kerstin Casperij was subbed off for Lynn Wilms. The Netherlands opens the second half with a beautiful pass from Miedema. Her football intelligence really shows when she waits for the space to open and makes the perfect pass to Brugts. Who then lost the ball to an Italian player but managed to get a corner kick. Spitse delivered near the second post, but there was no player to attempt on goal.
In the first ten minutes of the second half, the teams are very equal. More chances for the Netherlands, but Italy is sharp and dangerous on the counter. Just passed the one-hour mark the Netherlands came really close to a goal. Van de Donk and Miedema linked up, but it was not enough for the opener. Spitse missed the target just after.
The great thing about having Miedema on the pitch: great football, nutmegs and more. She put three defenders on the wrong foot and managed to get a shot away. She unfortunately hit the woodwork, but she is back.
Goalless after 70 minutes of play
The goal was in the air, but the Netherlands missed all their opportunities. Italy had no real chances anymore, so they decided to make some substitutions. Cambiaghi and Dragoni came on for Greggi and Cantore. Next Bonansea and Giacinti also had to leave the pitch. Salvai and Bonfantini came on for them. Bonansea and Giacinti were the ones with the most opportunities on goal and a dangerous presence in the box.
Italy decided to play with five at the back so they can take home at least a point. The most remarkable moment in these minutes is the hands ball by Sherida Spitse. Via her leg, the ball goes up to her arm. The referee thought about giving the penalty but decided not to. Clear hands ball and it probably should have been a penalty. No VAR to check so the Netherlands gets away with it.
Italy’s goalkeeper is an absolute expert at time-wasting. She gets away with it. With only 9 more minutes to go the Dutch must hurry. Katja Snoeijs came on for Beerensteyn. Snoeijs plays for Everton and did not have the best season in terms of goals. Normally this would be the time where Damaris heads in an unexpected goal. Andries Jonker decides to bring Romée Leuchter on for the extra time. She has four minutes to score a goal. A draw against Italy means that the Dutch must earn at least one point against Norway to qualify for the EURO 2025.
Jonker waited until the very last minute before making any changes. He probably should have brought some fresh legs sooner. Danielle van de Donk seemed totally run down after 80 minutes of play.
The extra time was filled with attempts from the Dutch, but nothing worked out. The match ended in 0-0. Keeping everything possible in the group. Fighting for one point against Norway away is going to be a hard task. This was our Match Report the Netherlands vs Italy. We will see you on the 16th when the Oranje Leeuwinnen play against Norway.
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