Rafael van der Vaart does not have a good word for Lutsharel Geertruida’s role in Italy’s 0-1 in the consolation final of the Nations League. The analyst saw the Feyenoord defender ‘do nothing at all’ when Federico Dimarco shot in. Pierre van Hooijdonk thinks that the Italian himself also deserves credit.
Italy needed less than six minutes to take the lead in De Grolsch Veste. Dimarco received the ball after a heel ball from Giacomo Raspadori, after which he left Justin Bijlow without a chance with a shot in the far intersection. In addition, the the Dutch could be charged the necessary, according to Van der Vaart. “Look at Van Dijk, who does half nothing. And you have to watch Geertruida. He doesn’t think for a moment: the house is on fire.”
Netherlands trailing 0-1, goal by Federico Dimarco. pic.twitter.com/9R5fuH3aMx
— NOS Sport (@NOSsport) June 18, 2023
“He is not doing anything at all”, Van der Vaart must conclude. “It really wasn’t good.” Van Hooijdonk saw where the problem was with the the Dutch. “It came from the left with Dimarco. That is the side that the Dutch national team has a lot of problems with.” The 0-2 was also achieved on that side, with Dimarco playing a leading role again.
“There is a takeover moment between Malen and Dumfries”, Van Hooijdonk analyses. “That listens very carefully and that does not fit here. Which means that Dimarco can get through again. It is a good intervention by Wieffer, but if you are talking about swingif that is not possible with the the Dutch, then the balls will fall with the opponent.”