AMSTERDAM (AP) – Nicolo Barella led the goal when a dominant Italy beat Holland 1-0 in their League of Nations match at Johan Cruyff Arena on Monday.
The midfielder jumped between Dutch defenders Virgil van Dijk and Nathan Ake to pass with him a hard pass to Jasper Cillessen in the first half’s off time.
The victory put Italy more sensitive Group One in the A-League, as Poland beat Bosnia 2–1 in the other organizing match.
Roberto Mancini made seven adjustments in his line-up after Friday’s 1–1 draw with Bosnia, bringing back defender Giorgio Chiellini for his first match abroad since a serious right knee injury a year ago.
But it was the arrival of defenseman Leonardo Spinazzola as a left-back that made a difference, who sat straddling several times on the left wing to create an area for Lorenzo Insigne to annoy the Dutch defender, diminished by injuries.
Italy lobbied high in the field, leaving no time for Holland to leave from behind, and pointed Joel Veltman and Hans Hateboer on the right side of the Dutch side fortune.
“We lost to a very smart team,” said interim Dutch coach Dwight Lodeweges. “They sought to play the same way we did, but they executed it much better. “
The tension created for Nicolo Zaniolo, who sent an impressive volley above the bar in the 17th minute, and Ciro Immobile, who closed a shot right next to Jasper Cillessen’s post two minutes later.
Inevitably, it was a center from immobile’s left that set Barella’s purpose just before the break.
The disappointing moment for Italy came when Roma striker Nicolo Zaniolo, as Chiellini betting his first foreigner since returning from a serious knee injury, limped in the 42nd minute after an inning by Donny van de Beek.
Lodeweges replaced the team that beat Poland 1-0 on Friday, leaving striker Steven Bergwijn on the bench and replacing him in the middle of the field with Manchester United’s new signing, Van de Beek.
The hosts had to wait until the 32nd minute for Georginio Wijnaldum to seize the first Dutch possibility when he walked away from a defense, with an internal cut but who shot goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Italy fell deeper after the break and gave Holland more time, allowing Wijnaldum to cross Van de Beek, whose volley overturned the bar through Donnarumma.
Holland made a great effort to match in the last few minutes, Depay made an impressive volley attempt at the time of the post, but the Italian defense stood firm.
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