Jabar Ekspres – Italian national team coach Roberto Mancini is happy with his team’s third place in the 2023 UEFA Nations League after winning the match against the Dutch national team with a score of 3-2 at De Grolsch Veste Stadium, Netherlands, Sunday (18/6) WIB.
This score is the same score that Italy achieved as the 2021 edition of the Nations League where they also ranked third. At that time, the Azzurri beat Belgium by a score of 2-1 in the race for third place.
“It’s important to win, this is a prestigious tournament,” said Mancini, reported via Football Italia, Monday WIB.
Making seven changes in the first eleven different players from the previous match when defeated by Spain with a score of 1-2 in the semifinal match, the changes made by Mancini went smoothly where they were able to take a two-goal lead in the first half through Federico Dimarco in the 6th minute and Davide Frattesi in the 20th minute.
“The first half was very good and a great effort,” said the former Manchester City coach.
READ MORE: Italy Secure Third Place After Beating Netherlands 3-2 in UEFA Nations League
Then in the second half, the Netherlands caught up through Steven Bergwijn’s goal in the 68th minute. The score then changed four minutes later when new signing Federico Chiesa scored for the Azzurri.
“Everyone was very tired and it showed in the second half. Being able to survive under that pressure is a good sign,” said Mancini.
In the final minute of the match, the Dutch were reluctant to give up. They again narrowed the position to 2-3 after Georginio Wijnaldum scored in the 89th minute.
However, the goal of the player who is now strengthening AS Roma was not enough because the score 2-3 became the final score of the match.
