It was another miserable game for the Netherlands after losing their UEFA Nations League qualifier, but there was a milestone for Cody Gakpo.
After both suffering semi-final defeats earlier in the week, the Netherlands met Italy in Enschede on Sunday to determine third place.
Gakpo started again, as did Virgil van Dijk, with Ronald Koeman making just one change from the side that lost 4-2 to Croatia.
For the striker, it was Gakpo’s 60th game of the season – for club (50) and country (10) – more than any other Liverpool player.
Unfortunately, it was another tough afternoon for the Dutch as their visitors took a 2-0 lead through Federico Dimarco and Davide Frattesi in the opening 20 minutes.
Both goals were the result of a defensive incident, including Dimarco’s opener when Van Dijk centre-back Lutsharel Geertruida gave up completely.
Geertruida was one of three players substituted at half-time as Ronald Koeman caused a stir and Steven Bergwijn, Wout Weghorst and Gini Wijnaldum came on.
The Dutch had an immediate chance when Van Dijk’s diagonal ball Gakpo smashed in, but the No.9 could only shoot at the keeper.
Bergwijn snatched a ball, turned it over and fired into the box after a pass from Gakpo, but Italy struck again four minutes later.
Van Dijk has come under scrutiny for his defensive work in Federico Chiesa’s latest winner. He tried to fend off the winger and put him on the left foot which he eventually netted off a terrible Justin Bijlow.
Wijnaldum scored another late goal for the Netherlands, but suffered a 3-2 loss that sent them away from the UEFA Nations League podium.
It’s debatable whether Van Dijk should be criticized for his role in the Chiesa goal, but there’s a growing sense that the Liverpool No.4 has lost a step of late.
His tendency to stay away from his opponent and wait for the game to develop has often paid off in the past, but with the 31-year-old now struggling for form and seemingly confidence, it’s easier to exploit.
Speaking to NOS after the match, Van Dijk admitted he was ‘ashamed’ of his country’s performance.
“It just wasn’t good enough. We should definitely look at that, especially in view of the important games ahead,” he said. “You also play for honor and we are ashamed of the way we played in the first half.
“We all have to look at ourselves very carefully in the mirror. Things must be very different in the near future, that’s what we should focus on.”
