Our prediction for this Nations League match:
Nations League bronze medal will be at stake when Netherlands and Italy face each other at De Grolsch Veste on Sunday afternoon. Netherlands failed to impress in a 4-2 loss to Croatia, with the team experiencing all sorts of problems at the back, but they are still seen as favourites to beat the Azzurri in front of home fans. Memphis Depay has been ruled out with injury, while both Georginio Wijnaldum and Noa Lang are pushing for recalls to the starting XI.
Italy, on the other hand, were on the verge of holding Spain to a draw in 90 minutes, but Joselu’s late goal eventually helped La Roja book their spot in the Nations League final. Anyhow, over 2.5 goals betting option should be considered as both sides are likely to adopt an attack-minded approach in the third-place playoff. As for the away team, PSG midfielder Marco Verratti, Federico Dimarco, and Federico Chiesa should be recalled to the starting XI.
Highlighted Player (Marco Verratti):
Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti is the creative force of the French champions and a world-class professional even though he is only 23. Deemed one of the most talented Italian players of the new generation, Marco Verratti began his career in Pescara, his home town club, from which he was directly transferred to PSG much to surprise of the general football community.
Technically gifted playmaker was snapped by Les Parisiens in 2012 in front of Napoli, Roma and Juventus in a five-year deal worth €12 million. Marco Verratti has since gone to become a key member for the French champions already surpassing the 100-game mark for PSG.
The 23-year-old playmaker is a player of great vision and awareness, very calm and composed on the ball. His passing skills are impressive often compared to Italian legend Andrea Pirlo’s. Despite his diminutive figure Marco Verratti is not afraid to get in duels and participate in defence duties which make him an all-rounder and great influence in every segment of the play.
Highlighted Team (Netherlands):
Netherlands are well known for the colour of their shirts. The orange colour is the symbol of the Dutch national team and that is the reason why they got a nickname the Oranje. Netherlands won the 1988 European Championship in West Germany, with the team beating the Soviet Union in the title game.
A number of top-class players were part of the Netherlands national team that won the Euro 1988 trophy, with the likes of Ruud Gullit, Marco van Basten, Frank Rijkaard and Erwin Koeman all starting the match against the Soviet Union. However, many people consider Johan Cruyff the best player in the history of Dutch football. Cruyff won three European Cups with Ajax as a player and he clinched the European Cup with Barcelona as a coach.
Johan Cruyff is well known as “the father of modern football”. Netherlands participated in the World Cup final on three occasions (1974, 1978, 2010), but they have yet to win the prestigious trophy. The Oranje welcome their rivals at Amsterdam ArenA, Philips Stadion and Stadion Feijenoord.