Positive test for Oranje

Friendlies can be tedious, but against a good nation so briefly before the start of a World Cup, it becomes interesting.

In my view, with Haaland and Odegaard, Norway could be a dark horse in the World Cup. They punished Italy twice in their campaign to qualify. They have a solid team and a fantastic mentality. But… so do we (team, I mean, maybe less so the mentality).

Koeman had a problem to fix and he may have found the solution: what to do with the right wing position. When Dumfries plays – and he does when fit – he needs a particular partnership, to allow him to bomb forward, while his defensive tasks are taken over by someone else.

Koeman tried Xavi Simons but he is too much a forward and lacking defensively and physically. He tried Malen, but despite the Roma loanie’s speed in attack, his defensive work is woeful. Frimpong was tested but he seems to make the same positional choices as Dumfries, meaning they get in each other’s way.

Koopmeiners played a good role on the right

Koeman noted the resurgence of Teun Koopmeiners at Juve. The former AZ skipper had a tough time in Turin (as did the whole team) but slowly he is becoming that important player again. And at Atalanta, Gasparini used him as a false right winger, so why not give him a go. He is strong in the duels, he has a terrific kick in both feet and he’s disciplined in his tasks.

And it’s fair to say that Koopmeiners played a good role for Oranje on the right, as Gakpo did on the left. The Liverpool winger was aggressive and positive from the get go, hellbent on showing his criticasters that there is life in him. I found it very pleasing to see that “finding his right foot” Gakpo also found the way around the outside.

First game for Kees Smit

Oranje played a decent game and Koeman allowed young Kees Smit his debut as holding mid next to Gravenberch. He found it tough, that was clear. The pace in Oranje is higher than in the Eredivisie or the Conference League and he will have noticed.

He needs to speed up more, but he demonstrated his bravery and at times his vision and passing skills as well. He will not be satisfied with his debut, but it is clear that better times will come and most likely, come swiftly.

Not 4-3-3

Koeman used the box, or the square in midfield again, with Reijnders popping up next to striker Malen when possible, but folding the team back to a 4-4-2 when Norway had possession. This system is tough against a 5 man defence, but versus Norway’s shape, it worked ever so well.

The only issue: who picks up Ryerson? The Norway right back was free whenever Gakpo had to press and Norway’s opening goal started there. Kees Smit found himself playing wingback or full back against the Nore and he wasn’t able to block the cross which eventually resulted in Schjelderup’s goal. A beauty, and Verbruggen can’t be blamed for it, but Dumfries should have done better, like Smit.

What surprised me most, is that Koeman was able to fix the issue without too much hassle. In the past, the coach needed half time (and an assistant) to point out the issues. Now, Koeman direct Smit to stick to Oscar Bobb and let Mickey van der Ven deal with Ryerson. This helped enormously keeping the pressure on Norway.

Arne Slot emphasises the importance of set pieces in every interview and when you have Koopmeiners or Reijders on kicking duties and the likes of Van de Ven, Van Dijk, Dumfries and Gakpo in the box, you know what Slot means. It’s no coincidence therefore that Virgil scored a scorching header from a class Koopmeiners corner kick. Straightforward and simple.

Oranje’s winning goal was the result of sloppy play by the visitors and smart and aware play by Liverpool winger Gakpo. Dumfries was still lurking up front and his pass was killed off with aplomb by Reijnders: 2-1.

What can we conclude after this match?

As mentioned, Koeman deserves praise for the solutions he found (although the praise will probably have to go to Jonk more than anyone else). Tactical tweaks are always key when playing a large tournament. Fitness, form, mentality, tactics, you don’t have much time in between matches to perfect the next game, so tactical flexibility (from the coach AND players is key).

Kees Smit has not set the world on fire, but he demonstrated enough for me, to see that in the future, he will take over Frenkie’s mantle.

Koopmeiners’ partnership with Dumfries deserves more. The Juve player was his old self again: swagger, neat on the ball and making the right choices.

Reijnders seems sure of a spot, with Kluivert injured and Simons less influential. The City midfielder makes run after run and is always available to score a goal. His work rate is exemplary.

Gravenberch, Van de Ven, Virgil, Van Hecke, Dumfries, Verbruggen, Malen… they all performed the way you’d expect them to.

The next match on Tuesday will probably feature some other players ( Brobbey to start? Valente in midfield? Q Timber from the start?) and by then we should be able to fill in all the names for the WC squad.

Tell me the players you love to see start for Oranje? Koopmeiners or Simons? Van Hecke or De Vrij? Hato or Van de Ven? Lang or Gakpo?

Netherlands vs Norway Highlights