Inter defender Stefan de Vrij said Holland are ‘optimistic’ ahead of their match against Italy in Bergamo. ‘We will try to make a good impression’.
De Vrij, capped 37 times by the Netherlands, was not in the squad when Roberto Mancini’s men won 1-0 in Amsterdam last month.
He has played the last two games – a friendly defeat against Mexico and a 0-0 draw with Bosnia-Herzegovina in the UEFA Nations League – and prepares to face familiar faces at the Gewiss Stadium tomorrow.
Inter defender Stefan de Vrij said Holland are ‘optimistic’ ahead of their match against Italy in Bergamo. ‘We will try to make a good impression’.
De Vrij, capped 37 times by the Netherlands, was not in the squad when Roberto Mancini’s men won 1-0 in Amsterdam last month.
He has played the last two games – a friendly defeat against Mexico and a 0-0 draw with Bosnia-Herzegovina in the UEFA Nations League – and prepares to face familiar faces at the Gewiss Stadium tomorrow.
“We are working, we play three games in a week with little time to train, the base of the group has remained the same, we are working, trying to improve,” De Vrij said at a press conference.
“In Amsterday, Italy deservedly won, but this is another match, it will certainly not be the same.
“Italy have been playing together for a long time, they don’t lose, you can see the coach’s touch, it will be a tough and beautiful game.
“We always try to be optimistic, to find the positive side. We know Italy’s strength up front, but also in midfield and defence.
“They’re a team that have quality throughout the pitch, but we have it too. It will be a great game.”
A win tomorrow will lift the Oranje above the Azzurri in League A Group 1 of the UEFA Nations League.
“Eight years ago, we started a journey and we have grown a lot,” he said. “Lately we lack results and goals, but we are aware of our strength, of the quality of our players coming from great teams.
“We will try to make a good impression.”