Italy and the Netherlands will be battling each other in the quarter-finals of the 2019 FIFA Womens World Cup. Both have played brilliantly so far in this competition and it will certainly be hard to predict whos going to come out with a victory.
This will be the Netherlands first appearance at this stage of the competition. For Italy, this will be the second time in their history since the last time back in 1991.
This match will also be Le Azzurres first ever FIFA Womens World Cup clash against De Oranje Leeuwinnen. The Dutch, however, have met Italy numerous times, recording an unbeaten run in their last five games (three wins and two draws).
This will be a battle of desire and determination. This isnt just a match for the players to boast their skills, but also for the coaches to showcase their willingness.
The Netherlands are slight favourites in this game, but will they be caught off guard by Italy today? Well discuss all that in this tactical preview analysis.
Both teams setup
Italy
Italys formation oscillates between 4-4-2 and 4-3-3. They seemed to use the latter though in their last match against China.
Cristiana Girelli played in a deeper, right centre-mid berth against China, despite usually playing in a more advanced position. The team played marvellously the last time out and there is very little change of setup and personnel expected in the next game.
Girelli may be back in her favourite centre-forward position with Aurora Galli filling her spot in the centre of the field.
Predicted starting XI: Giuliani Guagni, Gama, Linari, Bartoli Giugliano, Galli, Cernoia Mauro, Girelli, Bonansea
Netherlands
The Netherlands started their last match with a 4-2-3-1 formation with Jackie Groenen pairing with Sherida Spitse as a double pivot. Danielle van de Donk played in front of those two, just behind Vivianne Miedema. However, they seemed to switch into a 4-3-3 system again in offence with Groenen and van de Donk going forward, leaving Spitse alone in the centre.
Personnel-wise, there seemed to be no change up front and in the midfield in the last game and it seems unlikely to be one in the next game. Meanwhile, theres only one change in the defence with Stefanie van der Gragt back on the starting 11, replacing Anouk Dekker.
Facing Italy, whos extremely dangerous in central areas, Sarina Wiegman may use the same system again in their upcoming game.
Predicted starting XI: van Veenendaal van Lunteren, Dekker, Bloodworth, van Es Groenen, Spitse van de Donk van de Sanden, Miedema, Martens
Netherlands style of play
Break quickly
Both teams do tend to break quickly, but there are certain differences that we can see.
The Netherlands are always very quick on the break. With the attacking trio of Shanice van de Sanden, Vivianne Miedema, and Lieke Martens Wiegman has an abundance of speed up front and she seemed to take advantage of it well.
Playing with a mid-high block, the Netherlands tend to let the opposing team play from the back and will only press whenever they got in rather dangerous areas around the final third. That way, they are inviting the opposition to attack first, letting them advance and therefore positioning themselves higher and further away from their defence.
Right after that, theyll activate their press, aggressively closing down and swarming the ball-carrier before launching a quick breakaway.
In these breakaways, the wingers are the ones who are more crucial rather than centre-forward Miedema. Both are always ready to make the attacking run in anticipation of turnover in the midfield.
One of the two wingers (usually Van de Sanden) also tends to make inside runs in counter-attacks. The other one, meanwhile will make outward runs and open up spaces in wider areas.
Miedema, on the other hand, tends to stall her run in counter-attacks. This way, she either loses her marker, or her marke
