NL 0-1 IT: 'Not easy to dominate the Netherlands on their home turf' - Mancini

Italy Head Coach Roberto Mancini speaking with the media during a press conference. Photo: Claudio Villa/Getty Images

Roberto Mancini points out ‘it’s not easy to dominate the Netherlands on their home turf’ after Italy’s 1-0 Nations League victory.

Nicolò Barella’s header on a Ciro Immobile cross made the difference in Amsterdam, but all the statistics went in their favour too.


The Azzurri had 57 per cent possession, completed 528 passes to 339, and recovered 44 balls to 36.

“The whole team played well, because it’s not easy to dominate the Netherlands on their home turf. We could also have won by a bigger margin,” said the coach in his press conference.

“Naturally, in the last few minutes we felt tired and they kept putting long balls forward, with Virgil van Dijk a defender going upfront. Overall, Gigio Donnarumma only made one real save in the 90.

"We dominated the game in Holland, kept the ball more, had more passes, so we just should’ve finished more of our chances."
Football-italia