Netherlands 3-0 Italy: Devastating Dutch stun Italians

Published on Tuesday 10 June 2008 09:49

WHEN Scotland were drawn in the same qualifying group as the Netherlands for the 2010 World Cup, Scottish Football Association chief executive Gordon Smith said he was relieved to have avoided a rematch with Italy.

He might think again after a performance last night that was as unexpected as it was pulsating from Marco van Basten's team.

"Always look on the bright side of life" was the chant that rang out at the Stade de Suisse in Berne as the Dutch got their Euro 2008 campaign off to a whirlwind start with a thumping victory over the world champions that will have had the purists purring with admiration – and George Burley an anxious man.

The Netherlands had not beaten Italy since the days of 'total football', 1978 to be precise, and never by such a large margin. But their performance, bristling with attacking intent and an uncharacteristic all-for-one mentality, suggested they are on the verge of a new genesis.

What a joy it was to see a game of high drama and breathtaking goalmouth action after the listless safety- first approach employed by France and Romania, the other teams in the group, earlier in the day. And how delighted Van Basten was to watch his players make a mockery of those who thought this was one of the weakest Dutch squads of recent years, only to see man-of-the-match Wesley Sneijder, on his 24th birthday, and the strong- running Rafael van der Vaart dominate Italy's midfield.

"I'm so proud because we played football right until the last minute," said Van Basten, whose team had the game half won by half- time with two goals in six minutes, the first of which was so absurdly offside that by the time Italy had got over the anger of it being allowed, they found themselves two down.

"We could have started the second half playing long balls. They put a lot of pressure on us, but we played properly. It is only one step. There are a lot of good teams but if we show the same spirit, we can start to dream."

Italy, who conceded only two goals in the World Cup finals, had some reason to feel the world was against them. How Ruud van Nistelrooy's opening goal was allowed to stand by the assistant referee is anyone's guess. Even the Real Madrid striker looked embarrassed. Italy were collectively outraged and quickly conceded the second, a sublime three- man move finished off by the inspired Sneijder. Try as they might, the world champions couldn't claw their way back, undone by a couple of clearances off the line, poor finishing by Luca Toni – 39 goals for Bayern last season but a booking for his troubles and one appalling miss from six yards – and an outstanding display by Edwin van der Sar in goal.

Italy coach Roberto Donadoni is a good friend of Van Basten, both having played together at AC Milan in the late 1980s and early 1990s. All of this meant nothing, however, as the pair faced each other in the dugout for the first time. With Alessandro Nesta now retired and Fabio Cannavaro ruled out of the tournament, Italy were defensively vulnerable like never before.

But a team fielding seven of their World Cup- win-ning starting line- up should have done better, and the coach knew it.

"We started badly and ended up even worse," conceded Donadoni, under huge pressure since taking over from Marcelo Lippi and now in charge of a team that must beat France on Friday.

"We need to recapture our physical and mental strength. We squandered it with our own hands, making mistakes and paying for them. But if you lose you don't just close up shop. If we are not optimistic we may as well not bother to go to Zurich and go on holiday instead."

What price now a third straight group phase Euro elimination for the Italians, just seven months after so nearly relinquishing their Euro 2008 place to Scotland on that draining, energy-sapping night at Hampden Park?

Netherlands: Van der Sar, Ooijer, Boulahrouz (Heitinga 77), Mathijsen, Van Bronckhorst, Kuyt (Afellay 81), De Jong, Van der Vaart, Engelaar, Sneijder, Van Nistelrooy (Van Persie 70).

Subs not used: Timmer, Stekelenburg, De Zeeuw, Robben, Melchiot, Bouma, De Cler, Huntelaar, Vennegoor of Hesselink.

Booked: De Jong.

Italy: Buffon, Panucci, Barzagli, Materazzi (Grosso 55), Zambrotta, Ambrosini, Pirlo, Gattuso, Camoranesi (Cassano 75), Toni, Di Natale (Del Piero 64).

Subs not used: Amelia, De Sanctis, Chiellini, Gamberini, De Rossi, Borriello, Quagliarella, Perrotta, Aquilani.

Booked: Toni, Zambrotta, Gattuso.