By Anna Italia
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Italy 2 – 0 Netherlands
3′ Ciro Immobile
10′ Daniele De Rossi (pen)
It’s the debut of Italy Head Coach Antonio Conte with the national team. Italy displaying a positive football performance by scoring 2 goals in the first half against Netherlands. It’s a great debut considering that Italy had not defeated Netherlands in 9 years since 2005! Italy looking for a revival ahead of the UEFA Euro 2016 Qualification against Norway. Italy with what we might call “Italy B” with most of the top players not in the lineup. Thumbs up for this new Italy under the leadership of Mr. Scudetto Coach “Antonio Conte.”
Italy have played in Bari 9 times and stats showing 8 wins.
It’s a positive outcome also for Italy second goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu not allowing goals in the first half. Conte trusting the attack to forwards Ciro Immobile and Zaza.
A fast message to Netherlands when Italy open the score in the 3rd minute! Forward Ciro Immobile keeping control of the ball by accommodating it before after getting a long range assist by defender Leonardo Bonucci and then dribbling Netherlands goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen for the final left footed goal i the bottom left corner! Total party at the San Nicola Stadium.
A duel between Netherlands goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen and Italy forward Ciro Immobile. No flying magic could stop Immobile!!!
Italy forward Ciro Immobile opening his arms to celebrate after opening the score against Netherlands while acclaimed by the fans at the San Nicola Stadium.
The ex Inter Milan player midfielder Wesley Sneijder having a chance to even the score for Netherlands in the 8th minute but his right footed shot goes too high.
In the 9th minute Referee giving a penalty to Italy after Netherlands defender Bruno Martins brings down Italy forward Simone Zaza. Taking the penalty spot is midfielder Daniele De Rossi defeating goalkeeper Cillessen with a right footed shot in the bottom left corner.
Italy midfielder Daniele De Rossi celebrating after converting the penalty against Netherlands
In the 12th minute, things not looking good for Netherlands because Martins gets the red card and is sent out leaving the squad with 10 players. The forced substitution now is sacrificing forward Jeremaine Lens to bring defender Joel Veltman.
Testing more players and round applause for midfielder Claudio Marchisio while leaving the pitch in the 63rd minute and replaced by midfielder Marco Verratti.
Applause for Italy and Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi while leaving the pitch in the 67th minute substituted by midfielder Marco Parolo. Conte replacing also midfielder Mattia De Sciglio with defender Manuel Pasqual.
Fans applauding Sassuolo forward Simone Zaza for his great debut with the Italian team after being replaced in the 73rd minute with forward Mattia Destro. The other substitution is midfielder Antonio Candreva replaced by midfielder Matteo Darmian.
Sassuolo forward Simone Zaza wearing shirt number 7
Referee giving a yellow card to Italy midfielder Verratti after a foul on Netherlands midfielder Wesley Sneijder in the 74th minute.
Coach Antonio Conte making another substitution in the 76th minute by replacing forward Ciro Immobile with forward Sebastian Giovinco.
Netherlands making a substitution in the 80th minute replacing forward Robin van Persie with forward Luciano Narsingh.
In the 85th minute, another substitution for Netherlands with midfielder Leroy Fer replacing midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum.
Here is ITALY official starting lineup by Head Coach Antonio Conte:
Italy (3-5-2): Sirigu; Bonucci, Ranocchia, Astori; Darmian, De Sciglio, De Rossi, Marchisio, Giaccherini; Immobile, Zaza.
Here is NETHERLANDS official starting lineup:
Netherlands (4-3-1-2): Cillessen; Janmaat, De Vrij, Martins Indi, Blind; De Jong, Kuyt, Wijnaldum; Sneijder; Lens, Van Persie.
Italy official starting lineup against Netherlands
Italy Head Coach Antono Conte celebrating after seeing his players taking the lead against Netherlands
Italy 2 – 0 Netherlands
Thursday 4 September 2014
San Nicola Stadium
Bari, Italy
Goals: 3′ Ciro Immobile (I), 10′ Daniele De Rossi (pen)
Official Formations – lineups:
Italy (3-5-2): Sirigu; Bonucci, Ranocchia, Astori; Darmian, De Sciglio, De Rossi, Marchisio, Giaccherini; Immobile, Zaza.
Netherlands (4-3-1-2): Cillessen; Janmaat, De Vrij, Martins Indi, Blind; De Jong, Kuyt, Wijnaldum; Sneijder; Lens, Van Persie.