After a defeat against Mexico (0-1) and a draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina (0-0), Frank de Boer’s third game as national coach of Orange did not end in a victory. In the Nations League game on a visit to Italy, the Dutch national team made a good impression at times, but after ninety minutes of football there was eventually a 1-1 score on the scoreboard. Donny van de Beek provided the Dutch goal in Bergamo and thus signed for his first goal in Orange.

De Boer had changed his line-up considerably for the game in the Gewiss Stadium and brought in a 5-3-2 formation. Compared to the match in and against Bosnia and Herzegovina (0-0), Donyell Malen and Quincy Promes lost their starting place, while Marten de Roon was suspended. As a result, Nathan Aké (as extra defender), Donny van de Beek and Memphis Depay appeared at the kick-off. In an initial phase, scrutinizing both sides, there were few real chances to be noted, but the first danger immediately led to a goal after sixteen minutes.

Nicolò Barella found the space behind the defense of Orange with a nice pass, where Lorenzo Pellegrini showed up between Hans Hateboer and Stefan de Vrij. The attacker of AS Roma remained cool face to face with Jasper Cillessen and poked the ball in the left corner. The Orange had trouble recovering after the opening goal and then saw Ciro Immobile appear in a threatening position twice. On the second time, the Lazio striker actually took a shot, although his bet was turned by Cillessen.

Despite the danger for Cillessen’s goal, the Orange tied the score after 25 minutes. Daley Blind reached Depay from the left side of the penalty area, who was given the opportunity to lash out. His bet was inadvertently blocked by Van de Beek, but at the same time he was able to control the leather and place it close in the right intersection. It not only meant the first international goal for the Manchester United midfielder, but also the first goal under Frank de Boer’s national team. At the same time, it was prevented that the Dutch would not score in four consecutive international matches, which would have meant a negative record.

Van de Beek’s goal marked a turning point in the first half, as the Orange squad was the better team in the last fifteen minutes before half-time. The biggest chance in the end of the first 45 minutes was for Luuk de Jong, who was the end station with a nice attack over several discs. However, his header on a pass from Blind went wide. In the first phase after the break, the Orange squad also had the better of the game, which resulted in the necessary opportunities. For example, a shot by Georginio Wijnaldum just went over the goal and the Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma had to save the attempts by Luuk de Jong and Depay.

The match then almost completely turned over due to a hateboer slipper. A failed pass ball gave Immobile a golden chance of 2-1, but Cillessen avoided a deficit for the Orange. Shortly afterwards, the visitors were lucky that Danilo D’Ambrosio missed the ball in an exceptionally promising position. Moments later, there was also a dangerous cross on the other side, which was defused by Giorgio Chiellini just in time before Wijnaldum could work the ball against the ropes.

Only fifteen minutes before the end, when colleague Roberto Mancini had already made three changes, De Boer made his first change, when Joël Veltman replaced Blind. In the final phase, the Italians insisted, although that did not really result in great opportunities. A number of dangerous crosses had to be made harmless. On the other hand, Depay made another attempt from a great distance, but that shot went high over Donnarumma’s goal. Ryan Babel came within the lines for Depay in injury time, although there was no change in the tie after that.

For the Orange squad, meetings with Bosnia and Herzegovina (November 15, at home) and Poland (November 18, away) in Group A of the Nations League are awaiting in November. Poland won 3-0 against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday-evening, through goals from Robert Lewandowski (twice) and Karol Linetty, and is therefore currently in the lead in the group, with seven points from four games. Italy follows with six points, while the Dutch have collected five points for the time being. Bosnia and Herzegovina is at the bottom, with two points from four matches.