Italy coach Lippi pleased after Holland stalemate

Italy coach Marcello Lippi was pleased with his rookie players after their 0-0 draw with Holland.

“It was a good second half. We were very organised and aggressive, forcing Holland to play the long ball,” said Lippi.

“What I can't explain is how many passes we misplaced. In the first half especially, we were continually giving the ball away.

“We never really gave them a chance, as they rarely got near our penalty area, and that is no mean feat against Holland.”

Above all this was a test for the new arrivals aiming for a place at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Antonio Candreva and Davide Biondini were picking up their first ever caps, while Genoa forward Raffaele Palladino hadn't played for the Azzurri in two years.

“Candreva, Biondini and Palladino all did well. Palladino paid the price early on for the emotion of the occasion, but overall it went well.”