Holland 3-0 Italy, Monday 9 June 2008

Thirty years since Holland's last victory over Italy in international football, Marco van Basten's orange army outclassed a lacklustre Azzurri in every department to run out deserved winners in Bern.

An assured start by Italy, solid in defence with slick sharp passing across the field was met by a Dutch side doing most of the early sparring with Italy happy to sit back and soak up any early pressure. Luca Toni, spearheading a trident attack that had Di Natale and Camoranesi on the wings, had a golden opportunity to put the Azzurri in front with a free header inside the box on 12 minutes. Starting with Barzagli deputising for the injured Cannavaro alongside Materazzi, Italy were carved open on 17 when a clever pass split the defence apart allowing van Nistelrooy in for a one-on-one, rounding the keeper only to fail to find a team-mate or the goal.

As ever with Italian sides in major international tournaments, the first goal came in controversial fashion with goal scorer van Nistelrooy seemingly in a clear offside position on 26 minutes. As Italy cleared their lines after a deep free kick had been punched clear by Buffon, an early return cross/shot arrowed through the crowd was poked in by Van Nistelrooy at the back post. Despite the goal's controversy, it was well deserved as the Oranji had done all the early pressing and created the best opportunities in attack.

Whatever conspiracy theories the Italians were putting together to explain the first goals legitimacy, they had no-one to blame for the second goal that followed five minutes later. From an Italian corner that forced a goal-line clearance by Giovanni Van Bronckhorst, an incisive breakaway that found the Barcelona left-back in acres of room on the counter allowed him to play a raking ball across the pitch that Dirk Kuyt knocked down for Wesley Sneijder to skilfully half-volley in at the near post. Slow to get back and press their opponents, Italy looked shell-shocked.

At 2-0 down with barely a third of the game played, Italy needed a quick response to avoid an embarrassing start to their campaign in the "Group of Death". Pushing up the defence and midfield, Italy looked eager to find a goal and Di Natale, happy to try his luck from distance on more than one occasion, tested Van Der Sar with a well-struck volley. Italy could have ended the half even further behind after a glorious through ball yet again opened up the Italian's central line, only for Van Nistelrooy to be denied by Buffon's outstretched feet. And despite Italy's pressing, their inability to string more than two or three passes together meant they went in at the break with their tails between their legs.

Second half and Italy came into the game more and saw a greater possession and early retention of the ball as they still probed for one goal. Options up-front were lacking. The Dutch centre-backs easily dealt with Toni's running, whilst the wing-play by Camoranesi and Di Natale was virtually non-existent. Sporadic runs by both full-backs throughout the game came to nothing and Italy always looked vulnerable to another counter by the Dutch. However, the Italians were able to carve out three good chances in quick succession, but their inability to convert any of them proved their downfall. Del Piero who had just come on saw a clever shot saved, Toni was put through only to lift the ball several feet over the onrushing keeper and his bar, substitute Grosso also had a shot saved after one of Italy's first good runs into the box almost paid off. Pirlo then tested Van Der Sar with a magnificent curling free kick all of 25 yards out but yet again, Italy's slow reactions to get back cost them dear as from Pirlo's free kick, Holland cleared and hit the Azzurri for a third goal on 78 minutes. Another van Bronckhorst and Kuyt combination break saw the Liverpool man's first attempt well saved by Buffon, but Kuyt picked up the rebound and crossed for Van Bronckhorst, who had continued his run, to head in unopposed by the three Azzurri defenders in the area. Game over for the Italians and they were lucky the Dutch were unable to score again, with substitute Afellay hitting the crossbar late on with a sensational strike across goal from just inside the area and Van Persie, also brought on, going close soon after.

Italy ended the game truly deflated and fans and pundits alike will rightly question not only Donadoni's sterile tactics but more importantly the team's passion. Holland pressed and pushed right from the off and Italy were unable to put together a string of passes, Pirlo and Ambrosini truly struggling to find teammates when they had the ball. Chased and harassed for every ball, both sides defended the first 45 minutes very much in Italy's half. Italy too content to sit back and try to soak up Holland's energetic, pacy play. The Dutch hunger proved too much for an ageing, out of sorts Azzurri and it is looking as if a complete turnaround is needed should Donadoni's men progress past the group stage.

Player Ratings

1 Buffon

An assured comfortable start, not to blame for the goals and he still made a few good saves to keep the score down

3/5

2 Panucci

Quiet first half, made some deep runs but these ultimately proved fruitless. Was often caught out of position, failing to get back for second goal and failed to pick up man for third

2/5

6 Barzagli

Looked out of his depth. An assured start was soon forgotten as both he and Materazzi failed to deal with movement of Van Nistelrooy

2/5

23 Materazzi

Caught out on a few occasions by Van Nistelrooys movement and the Dutch midfield�s range of passing. Slow to get back for second goal, brought off on 54 for Grosso

2/5

19 Zambrotta

Made some long runs into opposition's half, rarely found when in advanced positions, defensively solid at both left and then right back. One of the few Italians to play well

3/5

8 Gattuso

Some early biting tackles served as an example to the others, but an early second half booking saw his style become more reckless than committed for the team. Donadoni's tactics left him stranded and struggling to follow the movement and pace of the Dutch

3/5

21 Pirlo

Quiet first half, his renowned passing game was way off par as he failed to find teammates with short, mid and long range attempts. Inconsistent from set-pieces, his one moment of brilliance bringing a great save from Van Der Sar served as a reminder of what he can do

2/5

13 Ambrosini

Hardly in the game, barely touched ball and failed to press Dutch midfielders sufficiently. Made no telling contribution in the second half except for a half chance in stoppage time

2/5

16 Camoranesi

Lots of early chasing, bright and active movement proved in vain. When in possession he failed to involve teammates in attacking play and his runs became more sporadic and unpredictable and for a winger, no final delivery to speak of

2/5

16 Camoranesi

2/5

11 Di Natale

Had a good opportunity in the first half testing the keeper with volleyed shot and he was happy to try his luck from distance. Drifted out of game before being replaced

3/5

9 Toni

Missed an early header, lots of chasing down and was rather stranded in the first half. Missed good chance to score mid-way through second half lifting the ball over the keeper and bar by several feet after good run to be put through by Cassano. Good hold up play but rarely saw action in isolated game

3/5

Subs

3 Grosso (on 54)

Made some deep runs down the left, failed to deliver telling crosses. Had great chance to score on 77 but hit shot straight at van der sar. Defensively weak, his inability to stop fantastic Dutch wingplay left Italian defence busier than they needed to be

2/5

7 Del Piero (on 64)

Looked immediately lively after coming on. Made himself available for the ball and made space for shots. He looked eager to provide a much needed link to the front line and tested the keeper once with a clever strike

3/5

18 Cassano (on 75)

Hardly involved in the game, although did set up best chance of the game to put Toni through on goal

3/5

Rob Paton

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