Italy vs Holland

Starting 11 announced for tomorrow: Buffon; Abate, Barzagli, Astori, Santon; De Rossi, Pirlo, Montolivo; Diamanti, Balotelli, El Shaarawy

If Prandelli is pairing up Balo and SES together as 2 strikers, then we might not see the agile SES of Milan, he flourishes on the left side and cutting in. I think the inclusion Monty is unnecesary since we have Pirlo. Santon is finally called up! (Mole is smiling i bet ) He will teach Robben a lesson idk if Diamanti is going to be deployed in the hole or on the wing, if its a 4-3-3 then SES will have a field day with Van Der Wiel . All in all im optimistic of the result.

Thoughts?

Do Italy ever play a 4-3-3/4-2-3-1?

I hope Prandelli plays a 4-3-3. If he does I think SES and Balo will terrorize the backline of Holland

How is Santon going to "teach Robben a lesson" when Robben wasn't even called up to the Dutch for the match?

Also not sure how El Shaarawy will "have a field day with Van Der Wiel" when he's not a part of the squad either...


Squad:

Goalkeepers: Kenneth Vermeer (Ajax), Tim Krul (Newcastle United).

Defenders: Daley Blind (Ajax), Daryl Janmaat (Feyenoord), Bruno Martins Indi (Feyenoord), Joris Mathijsen (Feyenoord), Ricardo van Rhijn (Ajax), Ron Vlaar (Aston Villa), Stefan de Vrij (Feyenoord).

Midfielders: Jordy Clasie (Feyenoord), Marco van Ginkel (Vitesse), Jonathan de Guzman (Swansea City), Adam Maher (AZ), Kevin Strootman (PSV).

Forwards: Klaas Jan Huntelaar (Schalke 04), Ola John (Benfica), Dirk Kuyt (Fenerbahce), Jeremain Lens (PSV), Robin van Persie (Manchester United).

RedOranje wrote:How is Santon going to "teach Robben a lesson" when Robben wasn't even called up to the Dutch for the match?

Also not sure how El Shaarawy will "have a field day with Van Der Wiel" when he's not a part of the squad either...


Squad:

Goalkeepers: Kenneth Vermeer (Ajax), Tim Krul (Newcastle United).

Defenders: Daley Blind (Ajax), Daryl Janmaat (Feyenoord), Bruno Martins Indi (Feyenoord), Joris Mathijsen (Feyenoord), Ricardo van Rhijn (Ajax), Ron Vlaar (Aston Villa), Stefan de Vrij (Feyenoord).

Midfielders: Jordy Clasie (Feyenoord), Marco van Ginkel (Vitesse), Jonathan de Guzman (Swansea City), Adam Maher (AZ), Kevin Strootman (PSV).

Forwards: Klaas Jan Huntelaar (Schalke 04), Ola John (Benfica), Dirk Kuyt (Fenerbahce), Jeremain Lens (PSV), Robin van Persie (Manchester United).

I didn't look up the Dutch squad lol, just guessed that they might have been called. Honest mistake

Yohan Modric wrote:Do Italy ever play a 4-3-3/4-2-3-1?

We played 4-3-3 against France a few months back

A young squad from Holland.

I guess players like van Rhijn, de Vrij, Clasie, Maher etc are up and coming stars.

Arjen Robben was called up as replacement for Huntelaar who was diagnosed with an injury to the eye.

http://www.tz-online.de/sport/fc-bayern/arjen-robben-huntelaar-ersatz-holland-nachnominiert-2736027.html

Wow, a very weak Holland side. I think Italy will win this. Unless RVP comes to the rescue.

Pretty happy to see the absence of a number of Juventus players from the starting 11. Intrigued to see SES-Balotelli

This team needs a trequartista or a formation change and I would prefer the latter

SES-Balotelli-Insigne would be interesting (for the future), as an attack

rwo power wrote:Arjen Robben was called up as replacement for Huntelaar who was diagnosed with an injury to the eye.

http://www.tz-online.de/sport/fc-bayern/arjen-robben-huntelaar-ersatz-holland-nachnominiert-2736027.html

Not in English, not legitimate.

In all seriousness though, I would have called up Luuk or Siem de Jong to replace Huntelaar.

It's in German, not the BILD and thus much more believable than English media

Well, I guess LVG called up Robben due to the olden times at Bayern ^^

A young side, but not a very weak one at all, I disagree. Dont confuse young with weak.

Some of them are very talented and while I hate the mans very being, I would be lying if I didnt admit he does exceptionally well with young players does Van Gaal. See Ajax and AZ.

Kids can be ordered around and be told what to do without complaint, they will follow his instructions with no objection.

talented yes but the match will be won and lost in the midfield today and i really love the trio of jordy, strootman, and maher but its too inexperienced against the likes of pirlo, de rossi, and montolivo

unless italy flops in the midfield its not going to be a pretty match for us. i just hope my main man mvginkel gets some minutes.

Italy should go 4-3-3 IMO and take advantage of that Santon-SES rape fest

the SSS is coming!

or something...

Buffon Such Class

I don't know where this is, but the pitch is completely ruining the game. Both Oranje and Azzuri slipping all over.

pitch is terrible, all the player slipping during attack ruining the game

1-0 Netherlands by Lens. Attitude of Italia is pathetic and not even bothering to make an effort to stop the goal. Astori showing why he isn't ready for Italia.

Italia suddenly waking up after their usually complacent friendly attitude and taking the game to Netherlands more frequently now. SES seeing a of touches while De Rossi and Pirlo controlling the midfield. Montolivo drifting out wide and between the lines for the final third with SES. Balo looking lazy but unselfish in his creativity. Italian fullbacks have been outstanding.

Borini scored today for the U21 side It will do boost his confidence ahead of our weekend match. Really hope he gets some game time.

I am happy Borini is fit again. Everyone keeps slipping and it's annoying. Good match so far, first goal should not have happened, I don't know what Astori was attempting to do. Overall good first half, Italia woke up towards the end.

The pitch is ruining the game

uve gotta love the italian temperament a stadium full of people not to mention millions watching at home but they still don't care and play within themselves