Kluivert, Nesta a Key Matchup

The Netherlands’ striker Patrick Kluivert has become one of the most dangerous players at the European Championship. But for Kluivert, the most dangerous player is Italian defender Alessandro Nesta.

Both Kluivert and Nesta have emerged as pivotal players in the prestigious soccer tournament, and today they will match up against each other in the Netherlands-Italy semifinal.

Kluivert tops the scoring table after his four goals in the co-hosts’ 6-1 quarterfinal victory over Yugoslavia.

To neutralize him, Italy is counting on Nesta.

It won’t be the first time the two have faced each other. During his disastrous season with AC Milan in 1997, Kluivert encountered Nesta three times without much success. Though he scored once during an Italian league match against Roma, Kluivert’s team did not win any of those matches.

“It won’t just be a Nesta versus Kluivert contest,” said Nesta, whose Italian team has limited opponents to two goals over four matches. “Kluivert is good and he’s scored a lot of goals, but [Dennis] Bergkamp is tough too. He’s scored fewer goals, but he creates chances for the others.”

Nesta wasn’t the only one to effusively praise the opposition.

Said Netherlands Coach Frank Rijkaard: “The Italians are experts at defending and are getting better with every match. . . . We’ve witnessed how they can withstand enormous pressure and then suddenly break. And then on other occasions suddenly rally back after have struggled the whole way. You have to be so careful.”