Netherlands vs Italy Nations League match for third place preview: Where to watch, kick-off time, possible line-ups

Netherlands and Italy meet in the UEFA Nations League match for third place on Sunday 18 June.

Where to watch Netherlands vs Italy on TV

Fans can find their local UEFA Nations League broadcast partner(s) here.

What do you need to know?

The Netherlands' ten-game unbeaten run in the Nations League came to an end in a thrilling 4-2 semi-final defeat by Croatia in extra time on Wednesday and Ronald Koeman's side must now regroup as they head to Enschede for this third-place game. Italy, meanwhile, were left heartbroken as a late Joselu goal sent them to a 2-1 loss to Spain, which ended their hopes of a first Nations League win.

These two European giants have met in UEFA competition six times before, Italy winning three to the the Netherlands' two.

There was nothing to choose between them in their most recent encounter, a 1-1 draw in the Nations League in 2020 in Bergamo. Lorenzo Pellegrini gave the Italians an early lead, but Donny van de Beek earned a share of the spoils nine minutes later.

Possible line-ups

Netherlands: Bijlow; Dumfries, Van Dijk, Geertruida, Malacia; Wieffer, De Roon, De Jong; Malen, Gakpo, Simons.

Italy: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Acerbi, Tolói, Dimarco; Frattesi, Cristante, Pellegrini; Raspadori, Retegui, Gnonto

Reporters' views

Derek Brookman, Netherlands reporter

The Dutch will obviously be very keen to avoid another defeat on home soil, yet Ronald Koeman also has the opportunity to give some squad players valuable game time against quality opposition. So expect multiple changes from Wednesday’s starting XI, a few stalwarts to provide an experienced backbone, and a motivated Oranje backed by a boisterous Enschede crowd.

Paolo Menicucci, Italy reporter

Roberto Mancini will probably rotate a few players after the defeat by Spain in the semi-finals, with Giacomo Raspadori and Mateo Retegui pushing for a place in attack. After failing to qualify for the FIFA World Cup and enduring a tricky start in their UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying campaign, the European champions will be especially eager to head into the summer off the back of a victory.

View from the camps

Ronald Koeman, Netherlands coach: "We want to qualify for the EUROs in 2024, and there aren't many moments when the group is together and we can try things out. So tomorrow we want to play with the same energy as we did on Wednesday. Last Wednesday we also did a lot of good things. And we want to continue that, while making fewer mistakes. If you take the two goals we conceded which were not penalties, our defending wasn't good. That's not acceptable."

Roberto Mancini, Italy coach: "The 4-3-3 is our favourite formation. In the first half against Spain we played well, but in the second half we were not as good physically. Our players are used to all systems but tomorrow we will return to a 4-3-3. It's an international game against a strong team and we will have to play well and try to win, even if there is not a trophy at stake."

Form guide (most recent first)

Netherlands: LWLLWW

Italy: LWLLWW