As a national team coach, you want to be able to mould your best team, tactics, approach and squad by now, some 3 months before the tournament.
The two friendlies, against serious opponents, should have told us many things. And it did. But not sure if it was what Koeman wanted.
Not sure what the plan was versus Scotland, with the new 3-5-2 set up (or 3-2-3-2).
Disappointingly for Koeman, we won’t know for sure as the execution was not great. Some players didn’t reach their usual level (Wieffer, Simons, Frimpong) while Memphis is clearly not 100% fit.
Add to that the absence – again – of Frenkie and it’s hard to ascertain where we stand.
Versus Scotland, we played under par for an hour or so but still won 4-0. Against Germany , we played well at stages but lost 1-2.
Two corner kicks: two goals. Fixable, sure, but not something Koeman will be happy with.
Koeman was able to use his subs and shift form shape to shape, so the flexibility of the team and the adaptability of the team seems to be getting better.
I think, when all the players will be fit, we do have a very good squad. But I also think that France, England, Spain and Italy are a bit further than us, in terms of solid game play, patterns and key players.
Sadly, as it happens with every tournament, we won’t have all players available at the Euros.
Some conclusions:
Stop the silly systems debate
As always, people spend hours debating which system Holland should play. This is an irrational discussion. We played 4-3-3 versus Scotland, or so it seemed. But it was actually a 3-5-2. Against Germany, we played 3-2-3-2 but again, in the practice it was. four man defence as one of the midfielders dropped back to start the build up. Daley Blind was hardly ever in defence, but played as an extra midfielder and at times as a number 10 even. Joey Veerman dropped back to assist the defenders in their build up. Ake moves to the left back space.
In the second half, Blind kept the pitch wide, allowing Memphis to explore the half spaces on the left hand side.
Ake as left centre back, Blind playing wide wingback in a 4 men midfield.
What system is this? Never mind. It’s about space and how to use the space. Not about numbers on a playing field, when the ref whistles to start the match.
Creating the free man
Koeman is keen to use his midfielders and front men to create a free man in our team. He put Reijnders one v one on Kroos and instructed Memphis to harass Andrich, the Germany holding mid. This forced Germany to build up via Tah. This way Koeman could stack the centre of the pitch with two holding mids (Veerman, Schouten) and always kept three defenders to deal with the mercurial Germany forwards.
Blind playing central midfielder
This chess face-off meant that Germany was still in control on their own half, but were not able to be a threat against us, in terms of goal scoring opportunities.
Here Blind is playing as second 10
Donyell Malen is like a panther
We have quite a number of top forwards or top potentials in the attacking line, with Lang (now injured), Gakpo, Simons, Brobbey, Zirkzee, Stengs and Bergwijn but Malen offers something the others players don’t have. Malen is explosive, fast and very willing to make runs deep. The other players all want the ball to feet. Lang and Simons do tend to go deep, as does Bergwijn, but not as their first instict. Malen is like a panther, lurking and watching for his change to spring into action.
This makes him a unique player in the squad and should cement his spot in the squad if not the team. In the first half, Malen was instrumental in our first goal, even though he never touched the ball. He had two more breaks and in the second half he presented both Memphis and Reijnders with 2 100% chances. Both players mishit the ball and aimed too high.
Yes, Malen played well but goes to sleep here and allows Musiala some touches in the box
Still, he has his moments of snoozing off (like big cats do) and he was at fault, partly, with the first German goal. He didn’t cut off the pass and was a bit late in reacting to their short corner allowing Musiala to be a threat ( who assisted the ball to the goalscorer).
Jerdy Schouten is a keeper
Schouten played against Germany like he does for PSV, all season long. Very tight on the ball, always in control, always with great care. Van Gaal didn’t think he was good enough after half a game for Holland but Peter Bosz and Ronald Koeman are convinced. On top of that, Schouten plays a lot of forward passes as well, in true Frenkie de Jong style, starting a number of threatening moves. When he got subbed, at the 75th minute, he had most interceptions to his name as well. I don’t want to be over the top here, but he would be a top replacement for Toni Kroos at Real Madrid.
I think Schouten passed his exams and will battle it out with Koopmeiners, Wieffer, Reijnders, De Roon and Veerman for the next-to-Frenkie spot.
Our goalies are fine
We don’t need to worry about our goalies anymore. Flekken and Verbruggen both impressed. Bijlow will return. Nick Olij is a fine shotstopper and Bizot has impressed in France.
So, it seems we might be in good shape this summer.
But if we go through to the last 4, I believe it will be partly due to luck and a favourable draw.
I don’t think Oranje deserves to be seen as a top contender but with the right mix and the key players available and in form, we can surprise.
Koeman called this international break “the final exams”. The jigsaw pieces have not all been in place to show the big picture and the former Barca coach is still playing with them.
Verbruggen impressed
His own conclusion: “I have not been able to find the right combinations, and I fear it’s the result of this injury ridden campaign. And as the calendar keeps getting fuller, I don’t understand why we are now being limited to take 23 players instead of 26. We know already from experience that from the date we have to send in our list of names and the first match, players will drop off. That is always the case.”
Koeman said he already knows who his Euros goalie is, and it seems to be Bart Verbruggen. Only Bijlow is fit and plays a series of impressive matches will he be able to replace Bizot as third goalie.
In defence, it is clear that Virgil, Ake, De Ligt, Dumfries and Geertruida are certain of their spot. Frimpong didn’t impress this time around, but used properly, the speedy right wing back will make the squad, as will multi-functional brainiac Daley Blind.
In midfield, a fit Frenkie is on the bus as well, as will Reijnders be. He didn’t disappoint in his Oranje matches and impresses with his legs, lungs, intelligence and technique.
Wijnaldum seems a shoe in as well. Why select him now otherwise. Koeman has loyalty to Gini and knows the former Feyenoord talent gels well with Memphis. Mats Wieffer has mixed results but Koeman rates the midfielder high and he does have some credit. But he’ll need to show it to the coach in the coming matches.
Schouten is in the same boat as Wieffer. Very promising but a thin foundation as yet. Koeman will be focusing on their performances in the coming months.
Marten de Roon will most likely be in the squad as the only enforcer we have. He never complaints and is one of the leaders off the pitch. Koopmeiners however, who had to leave the camp with an injury, is exceptional in the Serie A, but never really impressed in the orange jersey.
Joey Veerman is not for everyone. Very good on the ball, vulnerable without. He played well in the past Oranje matches but was exposed in several CL matches for PSV. Koeman will throw a dice regarding Veerman and Koopmeiners.
Quinten Timber might nog have been able to show enough in this break and might need to focus on a spot after the Euros, to replace Wijnaldum on the road to 2026.
Xavi Simons is one of the few creative sparks in the team and despite a disappointing series, he will be on the bus as well.
Upfront, it seems Memphis, Gakpo, Malen and Weghorst are certain of their ticket. The question marks will be stalwarts Berghuis and Bergwijn, who both need a super strong finish of the season. Koeman mentioned before that he finds Berghuis to be a unique player and therefore potentially a part of the squad. This gives Koeman another option on the right wing.
Calvin Stengs might have a super end to the campaign and also be in the running for the right wing position. Brobbey and Zirkzee will also be right in Koeman’s radar for the coming games and Brobbey will be part of the squad when fit, it feels.
Micky van der Ven, the left footed centre back of Spurs could also make the squad as his speed and ability to play on any spot in defence makes him an ideal squad player.
Some more question marks: Q Hartman, Stefan de Vrij, Nick Olij, Ian Maatsen and Noa Lang.
And what to do with Summerville… He’s on fire for Leeds and is close to a senior call up, in particular when one or more attacking options (Gakpo, Malen, Simons) fall away with injuries…
Strap yourselfs in, we’re heading to an exciting finish of the season.
I think they started with 3-4-3 in attack and 5-3-2 in defense.
Malen- Depay- Reijnders
Blind – Veerman- Schouten- Dumfries
Ake- Van dijk – de ligt
Verbruggen
In defense blind and dumfries would drop back
On few phases as shown in the picture yes they look like in position as analyzed but they are merely covering up for each other. Blind to cover for veerman and veerman for Ake and above all it’s defensive phases with back passing or playing lateral passes at the back. I’m confused here as to how this worked in NT’s favor and especially in the first half where the Germans dominated possession or in the case of NT build up and attack. I actually went back to the video with those times and though the photo is showing the accurate positioning but the phases after that is contrary to what has being mentioned. Blind in the after phases drifts to the flank with NT in possession to provide outlets but doesn’t gets the ball. The Germans cut in out and this is where him and Ake were caught napping few times.
Agree to disagree.
i’m sure you’re right Wilson. But just be aware that some players can fill in in other spaces, whereas others cannot. Schouten and Frenkie and Wieffer can play CB. Koopmeiners can too. Dumfries cannot play infield. Geertruida can. Ake and Blind have played defensive mid in their career, De Vrij not. Etc.
The point I made re: systems is confirmed by your comments. It’s fluid and it should be.
Germany might have had possession but did they create a lot? Two goals conceded from corners. That should be easy to improve on.
But, the important thing is: this team needs to find a core of 8 players soon and those players need to build rapport and patterns.
My ideal eleven (assuming Lang won’t make it) against stronger opponents (Germany, England, Spain, Italy)- 3-4-1-2
Verbruggen
De Ligt- Van Dijk – Ake
Frimpong – Schouten- Frenkie – Hartman
Reijnders
Malen – Memphis
Against weaker opponents (Austria, Poland, Ukraine, Georgia): 3-4-3
Verbruggen
Geertruida – Van Dijk – Ake
Frimpong – Reijnders – Frenkie – Gakpo
Xavi – Brobbey – Memphis
But it wasn’t effective, was it. I think it was all in the bid to try and get control of possession play to build up attacking phases which were defused often with German pressing them and causing turn overs. I did go and watch the game again and in the first half the Germans like the Scottish were ruthless.
I also disagree to part that the Germans didn’t create a lot , when they opened the Dutch inside out all over the park. Particularly in the first half as I have said. The finishing let them down and credit to Van dijk as always who was on on hand to close the gate on the right time. Verbruggen as well who came with some good saves. I thought you mentioned this . Either way Gundogan, musiala and havertz in the first half were menace.
The second half the Dutch did pull it back with dumfries making some good runs and linking up with the forwards but that didn’t last long after his side became under pressure again. And this is another evidence that the Dutch system revolves around him when it comes to attacking build up phases from the flanks and if doesn’t happen, the Dutch are always on back foot. I mean this was case in wC and at euros where with average teams he was standout but couldn’t replicate it with teams that were pressing his flank consistently like vs Argentina , Acuna and Alvarez.
@jan
Fantastic article.
I have several questions that I’d love your expertise on.
Theres been some hesitation with de ligt at RCB. He doesnt look fully comfortable in a back 3. I assume you have him against top teams for his defensive ability and geertruida in games when possession is needed. Is that how you feel?
Who would you play lwb against better teams without hartman?
Interesting that you have gakpo at lwb. What’s your logic here as its a new role for him.
Why frimpong instead of dumfries at RWB against better teams? I feel dumfries offers more defensively. I worry with de ligt at RCB and frimpong RWB we will see de ligt pulled into the side channels more often where he seems to struggle in 1v1 duels more than through the middle…?
https://footyfull.com/friendlies/germany-vs-netherlands-26-03-2024/
No sound
Another headache for koeman. Hartman injured and will miss out on euros
Good piece, Jan. Thank you.
Yes, saw that about Hartman. Play Ake at left wingback. Its not his best position, but he’s such a good player, he can make it work. And if Koeman wants to move to move the players around on the field as he did with Blind sliding inside at times in the Germany match, Ake is well-suited. Van de Ven is ready and waiting as the LCB. As good as Ake has been at MC this year, Van de Ven has been just as good at Tottenham. Otherwise, why not give Frimpong a look on the left—wrong foot, but in a situation where you have injuries and have to make do, why not try to get your best players on the field?
Hi Andrew, good comments. Frimpong can play on the left, but Maatsen is a candidate too.
I think Van der Ven as LCB is sensational. His speed alone. A nice opponent for MBappe too.
For this reason, I think we need to get away from “ideal starting eleven”. I think you need to use the right system/line up in relation to what you expect from the opponent. Not necessarily adapting to the strenghths of the opponent. It can also be adapting to expose their weakness.
I think losing Hartman is a shame but not dramatic.
As for the Germany-Holland game, yes Germany created opportunities, of course they did. This is one of the strongest football nations on the planet. But we have played games versus France and Italy where we were clueless and played off the pitch.
I feel like we can definitely handle Germany, if we play at our best. Not so sure about France.
I hope Koeman will be able to go with 26 players instead of 23.
Depay is out again for weeks with a knee injury. This kid should just retire. WOW!