5 Talking Points from the UEFA Nations League Matches

3. Italy and Netherlands are on the right track but there's a long way to go

The 2006 World Cup Champions Italy and the 2010 World Cup Runners-up Netherlands both failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. While Italy lost over two legs to the Emil Forsberg-led Sweden team, the Netherlands could not even reach the qualifying play-off stage as they finished third in the group behind France and against Sweden.

Italy v Poland - UEFA Nations League A

This time in the UEFA Nations League, for the first time, the Azzurri were technically directed by Roberto Mancini against Poland. Let's not forget that this is the same Poland who had themselves bowed out in the World Cup group stages with a dismal performance.

Italy with the likes of Lorenzo Insigne, Jorginho, and Giorgio Chiellini was expected to go past Poland easily but the team lacked cohesion and drew 1-1 with Poland. The front three, including the recalled Mario Balotelli, were not in sync with Roberto Gagliardini and Lorenzo Pellegrini at all and, thus, were dropped for the next game against Portugal. But even then, the likes of Andrea Belotti and Simone Zaza could not help Italy to a victory as they lost to a Cristiano Ronaldo-less Portugal team.

The Netherlands with the core of Virgil Van Dijk, Matthijs De Ligt, Frenkie de Jong and Memphis Depay was expected to provide a challenge for World Cup Winners France. It must be pointed out here that they did their best and pushed France to the limit, but in the end, the sheer brilliance of the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann and a masterful goal from Olivier Giroud saw them lose.

Van Dijk is the centerpiece of the Netherlands' defense

Both Roberto Mancini and Ronald Koeman have a long way to go in rebuilding their squads and the UEFA Nations League provides them with an opportunity to do exactly that. Both teams would look to get ready for the Euro 2020 qualifiers which start in March next year.