[Forza_Roma]

Italy



VS

Netherlands

Holland - Italy
Bern, Switzerland

The Azzurri’s Euro 2008 campaign finally gets started with a high-profile battle against Marco Van Basten’s Holland.

Roberto Donadoni’s first major tournament begins with a result that will probably go a long way to outlining the Group of Death ahead of showdowns with Romania and France. A good start is essential for both sides, as the Dutch know all too well the sting of disappointment on the main stage despite a squad packed with talented players. At least two of those top stars – Arjen Robben and Ryan Babel – will miss out due to injury. It is a bitter double blow for Van Basten, as they are both alternatives for the same role, so some reshuffling is required.

Italy have also been struggling with injury woes, most notably the loss of captain and Ballon d’Or winner Fabio Cannavaro for the entire tournament with damaged ankle ligaments. Christian Panucci is also a slight doubt after picking up a knee tendon problem in training, but looks set to recover fully in time for this match. Should he fail to make it, we could see Marco Materazzi and Andrea Barzagli in the centre with Gianluca Zambrotta switch to right-back and Fabio Grosso on the left.

Donadoni has been testing out both his favoured 4-3-3 system and a 4-1-4-1 with Daniele De Rossi sitting in front of the defence. Luca Toni is certain to start upfront, but the choice of forwards is dizzying, with Antonio Cassano, Alessandro Del Piero, Mauro Camoranesi and Antonio Di Natale battling for spots. Juventus wide man Camoranesi can play either as part of an attacking group or deeper in midfield, while Udinese’s Di Natale is the favourite to start, especially after his fine brace in the 3-1 friendly win over Belgium.

Van Basten’s game is all about width, but the absence of both Babel and Robben reduces their potency considerably. Robin Van Persie is also not 100 per cent fit and could be ready only for the bench. It is likely 22-year-old Ibrahim Afellay – the youngest of the Dutch squad – will step into the breach. Nonetheless, they’ll hope that their solid defence – having conceded just five times in qualifying – and exciting front line of Rafael Van Der Vaart and Ruud Van Nistelrooy can take advantage of a reshuffled Italy back line.

The last time these sides met in a major tournament was the epic Euro 2000 semi-final, when co-hosts Holland failed to convert two penalties in normal time and could not break down an Italy outfit that had Zambrotta sent off just 34 minutes in. Eventually the Azzurri won a shoot-out, going on to the Final and a heart-breaking Golden Goal defeat to France.

Key clash: Ruud Van Nistelrooy v Marco Materazzi
The two giants go head-to-head in the Azzurri penalty area and we’re sure to see a very physical tussle. These man-mountains are always strong in the air, so the Real Madrid striker may try to keep the ball low and take advantage of Matrix’s reduced pace. It’s likely they’ll mark each other on set plays in the Dutch box too, so it’ll be a constant battle between them and the winner could decide the match.

Italian connection:
Serie A’s most popular Dutchman – Milan midfielder Clarence Seedorf – pulled out of this tournament after a row with Coach Van Basten, so there are no members of this squad who currently ply their trade in the peninsula. The only familiar face is former Juventus goalkeeper Edwin Van Der Sar, who aged 37 has just won the Champions League with Manchester United. He represented the Bianconeri from 1999 to 2001.

Did you know…
Holland have not beaten Italy in three decades, going without a win in their eight meetings since the 1978 World Cup. That 2-1 result in Buenos Aires was followed by six Azzurri victories and two draws. Even beyond this 30-year spell the Dutch record is poor with just two wins, five stalemates and eight defeats in total.

The Netherlands are among the most successful European Championship sides, having won in 1988 and reached the semi-finals in 1992, 2000 and 2004. During that famous ’88 campaign, current Dutch Coach Marco Van Basten was the top scorer, while Roberto Donadoni starred for an Italy side that reached the semi. Not only were Van Basten and Donadoni teammates at Il Grande Milan, they also regularly played golf together.
Holland (probable): To follow...

Italy (probable): To follow...

Ref: Frojdfeldt (Swe)

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