Italy played with 4-3-3 line up.
Netherlands played with 3-5-2 line up. Depay played with false 9 role and Frenkie De Jong played with regista role.
In the Italy set attacks, D’Ambrosio became the third stopper, Spinazzola came to the left wing, Chiesa closed to the touchline and Barella came to the right half-space and closed to the forward line. So the shape became like a 3-3-4.
Netherlands covered Jorginho’s and Verratti’s around with 2 centre forward and 3 centre midfield. So Verratti and Jorginho couldn’t make game easily.
Barella’s role was very important for Italy because when he came to the right half-space, he, D’Ambrosio and Chiesa had a numerical advantage against Ake and Blind with 3 vs 2.
But they couldn’t use this numerical advantage. D’Ambrosio didn’t support the attacks much because of his set attack role. So it remained theoric.
If Barella closed to the left half-space, they could use him more effectively. Because Spinazzola’s set attack role wasn’t like D’Ambrosio’s role. He came to the left wing in the set attacks. So, if Barella came to the left half-space, they had a numerical advantage in the left wing with 3 vs 2 again and this time, because of Spinazzola, they could attack more effectively. But Barella’s role didn’t change and Italy couldn’t use him brilliantly. He played well but he could play better.
In Netherlands, with Depay they could find space and create goal chances. Because when Depay came between the opponent’s defense and midfield lines in the make game, Chiellini or Bonucci didn’t follow and cover him so when Depay took the ball, Netherlands could pass Italy’s midfield line.
In this position, Netherlands is trying to make game and Italy is pressing. Chiellini is covering Depay.
Then Depay is closing to the midfield to take the ball and Chiellini isn’t following him. So Depay can take the ball and pass the opponent’s midfield.
First half firstly Italy was good. Then when the score became 1-1 Netherlands started to play great.
Second half was more chaotic. Both teams were tired and both teams could find free spaces but they couldn’t score goal in the second half.
Barella played well and made game greatly. He did everything in the pitch but he could be more effective in the left half-space.