Feb 06, 2013 12:59 PM EST
Netherlands vs Italy Live Stream: Watch Free Online International Friendly at 2.30 PM ET

Mario Balotelli and Stephan El Shaarawy will try to outshine the likes of Robin Van Persie when Italy travel to the Amsterdam Arena to take on the Netherlands in what promises to be an exciting friendly international.

Both sides have named strong squads, although it will be interesting to see how a young Dutch midfield with the likes of Kevin Strootman and Adam Maher cope with the guile of the experienced Italians, particularly Andrea Pirlo.

Loius Van Gaal will look to stamp his authority as Dutch manager and will no doubt decide on his best team for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers based on the players' performance against Italy.

Van Gaal said he has a tremendous amount of respect for Italy coach Cesare Prandelli, who has converted the Italians from a defensive minded team into an explosive attacking unit.

"I have known Prandelli since my Bayern Munich played his Fiorentina in the Champions League," Van Gaal told reporters. "He is an excellent coach. He is working a great deal on the attacking aspect with Italy as well as the traditional defensive movements.

"We have great respect for Balotelli. He is an excellent striker and you can tell by the way his teammates always seek him for the pass. He never loses the ball and won't waste it either, defending it to create the move.

"However, we must be wary, as El Shaarawy could well be even more dangerous than Balotelli."

Prandelli, expectedly, will bank on the talents of AC Milan forwards El Shaarawy and Balotelli, who scored two goals for Milan on his debut at the weekend.

"I do not remember seeing a second striker like El Shaarawy," Prandelli said. "Someone who contributes so much to the team defensively.

"Balotelli meanwhile must become our central focus. He is not a striker in the old-fashioned sense, but a modern forward who can, and must continue, to score every time he gets a chance."

To watch Netherlands vs Italy Live Stream, click here.

Expected lineups: Netherlands: Krul; Van Rhijn, De Vrij, Mathijsen, Martins Indi; De Guzman, Maher, Strootman; Robben, Van Persie, Lens.

Italy: Buffon; Abate, Barzagli, Astori, Santon; Montolivo, Pirlo, Giaccherini; Candreva, Balotelli, El Shaarawy.

Prediction: 2-2

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