ANPMemphis Depay at training on Saturday
NOS Voetbal•vandaag, 09:46
Jesse Wieten
editor of the Dutch national team
Jesse Wieten
editor Dutch national team
The Dutch national team can completely change course, on Tuesday in the round of 16 against Romania. National coach Ronald Koeman can go in any direction with his 26-man selection. Seven field players have not yet been in action this tournament.
The question is whether the Dutch team will improve with them.
A system change also means a radical turnaround. Back to 5-3-2. Captain Virgil van Dijk certainly does not like that. At Friday’s press conference, he was firm: “I don’t think so.”
If the captain is so adamant, such a switch seems unlikely.
Seven field players without playing minutes
Then the options in Koeman’s 4-3-3 system. The seven field players who have played less than a minute are Brian Brobbey, Joshua Zirkzee, Steven Bergwijn, Matthijs de Ligt, Daley Blind, Ian Maatsen and Ryan Gravenberch.
In addition, Micky van de Ven, Georginio Wijnaldum and Wout Weghorst will have to make do with substitutions for the time being. It is not possible to make a logical line-up of the aforementioned ten, with four centre forwards and no right back.
ANPJoshua Zirkzee
It will not be Koeman’s approach, such a complete turnaround. It will not be a press of the panic button.
What the Oranje lacked was clarity. The coordination was not right, the team fell apart, a big contrast with Austria. You put high pressure with the entire team, and you also back down.
Neither of these worked for Oranje in Berlin. Austria ruled with a clear plan. Oranje needs a plan, from Koeman.
Blind and Maatsen
Considering the problems of the Dutch against Austria, the substitutes offer opportunities to add something. For example, the mutual communication and coaching left much to be desired. Daley Blind is a type who can help the Dutch in this.
The 34-year-old left-footer is known for his coaching on the field. In addition, Blind can improve the game on the ball with his clean passing. This can be done in the left-central position in defense, but possibly also in midfield, where the choices are more limited.
Pro ShotsDaley Blind
Champions League finalist Ian Maatsen offers Koeman similar opportunities. At Borussia Dortmund, the left-footer has excelled in the past six months in a role where he regularly moves from the left-back position to the centre of midfield, but also comes up the side.
Maatsen can connect lines. However, such a creative role as a left back requires tactical adjustments in other positions in defense and midfield. It would be daring. Too wild perhaps. Not necessary, not logical for Koeman. It would then be more logical to try Maatsen as a left midfielder.
There is certainly no shortage of options on the left. Micky van de Ven can add ferocity and speed again.
De Ligt or De Vrij
Assuming that reserve captain Nathan Aké and first captain Virgil van Dijk keep their places in defence and Denzel Dumfries, who was not fully fit against Austria and on the bench, returns at right back to provide the Dutch with energy, there is actually only one place that is not completely set in stone defensively.
That is the position of Stefan de Vrij, the man who quietly played his way into the starting line-up before the European Championship. Koeman can move Aké to the centre, which will free up a spot at left back for Maatsen or Van de Ven. As a direct replacement, De Ligt may hope. “I felt it was a close call“, said De Vrij about the competition with Matthijs de Ligt.
Rafael van der Vaart opted earlier this week NOS Studio Football for De Ligt. “De Ligt and De Vrij: it depends,” said Van der Vaart. “I would still choose De Ligt, because I find him a bit more explosive. He has more fire in his game.”
Take a look at Rafael van der Vaart’s line-up below:
NOS setup Rafael van der Vaart
“Is De Ligt also better at coaching?”, the former international wondered. “No, because I thought De Vrij was just fine in the previous matches and he also has good insight. I just need a few more guys who can be a bit of a murderer.”
Then the midfield. Joey Veerman drowned against Austria, but Jerdy Schouten and Tijjani Reijnders could also barely keep their heads above water. A second chance can be expected for Schouten and Reijnders.
If Koeman does not move with Blind or Maatsen, the alternatives are limited, with Ryan Gravenberch and Georginio Wijnaldum. Gravenberch has not yet made an indelible impression at the public training sessions and Wijnaldum’s substitutes have been colorless so far.
‘On ten’, Xavi Simons is showing rising form. His goal was disallowed against France, but against Austria he provided an assist for Cody Gakpo’s goal in an energetic substitute. “He wasn’t top yet, but he was good,” Van der Vaart said about Simons’ substitute.
ANPGeorginio Wijnaldum at the training of Oranje
Pierre van Hooijdonk chooses a surprising name as number ten: Memphis Depay, striker until now. “He is best when he plays at ten, with another striker around him, then he comes into his own,” says Van Hooijdonk. “Memphis needs a distraction.”
“We can discuss who that should be, but that would make him better,” says Van Hooijdonk. “The Dutch national team needs a striker who is always in the box.”
As far as Van Hooijdonk is concerned, Donyell Malen will be that striker, with Joshua Zirkzee as an alternative. Koeman also has Brian Brobbey and Wout Weghorst in reserve for that role. Brobbey was in that position in the practice match against Canada, with Depay on the left.
Take a look at Pierre van Hooijdonk’s line-up below:
NOS setup Pierre van Hooijdonk
In the final phase against Austria, super sub Weghorst came to play up front together with Depay. The substitute gave the assist with a header for Depay’s goal. On the left, Gakpo has earned his place as the most creative and accurate player (two goals).
Koeman has varied on the right wing so far. In the three matches in the group stage, Simons, Jeremie Frimpong and Malen were given a chance. With Steven Bergwijn, Koeman has the opportunity to field another right winger against Romania.
Van der Vaart chooses Malen, Van Hooijdonk opts for a return of Frimpong. “Then you have three rockets up front and a creative boy like Memphis as an attacking midfielder,” the former striker explains.
There is a lot to choose from, but only one decides. The usually somewhat conservative Koeman will probably have doubts about one position per line at most. Or is things really about to change?
2024-06-30 07:46:19
#Depay #ten #wild #options #Koeman #Romania
