Italy pile up more Dutch misery

Enschede – Italy sealed a thirdplace finish in the Nations League finals yesterday, with a 3-2 win over disappointed hosts the Netherlands.

Ronald Koeman’s Dutch side started the week determined to win their first trophy since 1988’s European Championship.

But they fell short on home soil, losing both their matches, losing the semifinal against Croatia on Wednesday

Federico Dimarco and Davide Frattesi struck fi rst half goals for Euro 2020 winners Italy in Enschede as the Netherlands started slowly.

Steven Bergwijn pulled one back with 20 minutes remaining but Juventus forward Federico Chiesa quickly restored Italy’s advantage to ensure they would take bronze, despite Georginio Wijnaldum pulling another goal back.

Koeman has now lost three of his four games since being reappointed Netherlands coach in January.

Inter Milan defender Dimarco sent a searing strike into the top corner after Giacomo Raspadori teed him up neatly in the sixth minute.

Italy coach Roberto Mancini made several changes and returned to his favoured 4-3-3 formation.

It paid off, with Italy netting the second through Frattesi.

The Sassuolo midfielder, 23, has been Italy’s best player in the final-four, another example of the promising crop of players coming through for the Azzurri.

Bergwijn injected some excitement into the game with a well-taken goal to give the Netherlands a chance, before Chiesa stroked a low finish past Justin Bijlow at the other end.

Netherlands showed plenty of spirit in the final stages and Wijnaldum fired home from Joey Veerman’s threaded pass.

For all the news from last night’s final between and Croatia see citizen.co.za.