Category: WC2026

by Jan

A tale of two strikers?

This new Nations League campaign kicked off with a number of die hard soldiers of orange left out. The fans were keen for Koeman to finally allow the youngsters the spotlight and he responded by telling De Roon and Wijnaldum they weren’t going to be part of the plan moving forward.

Daley Blind saw it coming and decided to cut Koeman off by pulling out. Memphis wasn’t selected as the 30 year old failed to find a club in time and De Vrij wasn’t part of the squad due to a hamstring issue, but is still on Koeman’s radar.

In the run-up to the Bosnia Herzegovina game, Bergwijn’s transfer to the sand pit was made public, reason for Koeman to immediately close the door on the former Spurs forward.

I do have a personal opinion about this. Koeman welcomed Wijnaldum into the squad last year, when Gini made his way to the sand pit. Now, Koeman claims this was because 1) Wijnaldum didn’t have many other options and 2) Wijnaldum has had so much contribution to the national team. But he also said  now, that the competition in Saudi Arabia was too weak and players who go there will fall behind. C Ronaldo and Kante of France will disagree, by the way. But there is footage of a press conference from last year where Koeman explicitly states that the competition in Saudi Arabia is very good, than many top players play there and why should he not select Wijnaldum, for going to that league.

Koeman is not always very honest, in these sorts of things. Man management can still improve.

But, having said that, I personally also don’t think we will miss Bergwijn much, to be honest.

Anyway, new names. Memphis needs to be replaced and with Wieffer, Koopmeiners, Veerman and Frenkie de Jong injured, it was time to mould a new midfield together.

Schouten and Reijnders impressed at the Euros so it was a no brainer for them to be starting, but the rise of Gravenberch in Liverpool under Arne Slot has placed the lanky former Ajax player squarely on Koeman’s radar.

The quartet of Gakpo, Simons, Zirkzee and Reijnders really bamboozled Bosnia Herzegowina and with Schouten and Gravenberch behind them, they must have felt like they were playing on the streets.

Zirkzee got the nod versus Bosnia and Koeman already stated that Brobbey would play the second game.

The inclusion of Brobbey would be the only change for the Germany game, as Koeman was clearly quite happy with the performance on Saturday.

Brobbey played without additional pressure, versus Germany, it seems. From minute one, he was switched on, strong and focused and direct opponent Tah will have had some bad dreams after the game. Brobbey was instrumental with the two goals. He chested a long ball by Verbruggen in the path of Gravenberch, who delayed his move, taunted the defender to come and take the ball and right on time he toed the ball in the path of the onrushing Reijnders who scored a class goal.

Brobbey was also key with an assist for the 2-2, after a through pass by Simons, allowing Dumfries a tap in.

The Inter defender, quite rusty, could have scored the winner, if he had scored the free header, earlier in the game, but the biggest and best chance fell to Xavi Simons, after a breathtaking wonder pass by Gravenberch.

After the game, the pundits ( Van der Vaart, Van Hooijdonk) and even Koeman, couldn’t hide their appreciation for the gifted midfielder, who was the ultimate Man of the Two Matches (arguably with power house Reijnders).

Some conclusions from the game.

We know how to play attractive football

As said, those four forwards (you can add Lang, Malen, Stengs, Koopmeiners, Memphis to the list, they will be able to play along really nicely) played with a big smile on their face. Our midfielders are a joy to watch as well, the connoiseurs usually lick their lips when watching Schouten’s “short” game. And this is even without Frenkie, Wieffer, Koopmeiners, Timber and Veerman. The Germany game resulted in a record number of attempts on goal (from both teams) and the 2-2 is actually a low score compared to the attempts and touches in the boxes.

Quick goals

Ronald Koeman’s teams try to sprint out of the traps. Reijnders scored a quick gola after 1.39 minute. Veerman scored a quick one in February versus Germany. Klaassen scored three years ago after 55 seconds versus Turkey and Johan Neeskens scored the fastest goal versus (West) Germany in the World Cup finals in 1974, after 86 seconds.

Gravenberch rules

The Liverpool midfielder had a pre-assist versus Bosnia and a fine assist for Reijnders versus Germany. As mentioned, he should have another one if Simions had scored from that amazing long pass. Gravenberch had the most interceptions (4), the most duels won (6) and only 4 of his 40 passes didn’t get to a team mate.

Wingers aren’t full backs

Holland does play a lot of football on their own half. Was it the early lead? Or simply the strength of Germany? Oranje defends compact, with a strong focus on closing the passing lines. Oranje defends in a 4-4-2 concept and the wingers (Cody Gakpo and Xavi Simons) were tasked with defending the German full backs.

Koeman stopped the 3 at the back concept and this particular defensive move is almost like a reversed system of that 3-4-3. Now, it’s our wingers defending their full backs, in stead of our wingbacks attacking their full backs. And sadly, wingers are usually not very good in defending. Case in point, Germany’s second goal was allowed because Gakpo forgot to track back to keep an eye on Joshua Kimmich.

Raum runs into space behind Simons back and Kimmich is already on his bike to get to the far post. Geertruida would come to replace Simons to shore up that defensive situation, pushing Dumfries further up.

Mathijs de Ligt is the pantomime villain

We all know it: when a goalie or a central defender makes a mistake, it’s usually a goal. If a forward loses the ball, it can also result in a goal conceded but it usually takes a couple of moves for this to happen so the attacker usually is not vilified. Sad for De Ligt, he made a marking error versus Dzeko on Saturday, but Koeman praised his passing and build up play. That part of De Ligt’s game came under scrutiny against the Germans, when a pass got intercepted by Musiala and led to the 1-1.

Mathijs had 5 successful long passes, but no one remembers those. I also need to say that there was still some football being played until the ball hit the net, but the criticasters all pointed towards De Ligt. His body language wasn’t great afterwards and Koeman hooked him, partly to protect him. “I could see the mistake was still playing in his head and I didn’t want him to struggle and play with the brakes on. JP Van Hecke came on in the second half for his debut.

Options galore, in midfield and in defense

Nathan Ake had to leave the pitch with a painful ankle but with the likes of Geertruida, Hato, Beelen, Timber, Van Hecke, Botman (currently injured) and Van der Ven (currently injured) it does appear Oranje is in good shape. I’m sure Nagelsmann will be quite envious of his Dutch colleague.

 

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by Jan

Oranje looking forward: change!

Ronald Koeman comes across as a man who realises this is his last chance for eternal legend status. He was great as a player, he was ok as a coach, and this last (?) stint will make him either a hero or just another coach in the long list of well meaning coaches…

The semi finals at the Euros must have convinced Koeman that Oranje can go for gold and a look at the list of young talents establishing themselves ( Frimpong, Zirkzee, Hartman, Timber, Gravenberch) will have pleased him a lot.

So it’s out with the old ( Daley Blind, Wijnaldum, De Roon) and in with the new ( Hato, Timber, Gravenberch). Blind decided for himself enough was enough. Wijnaldum and De Roon were informed personally by the coach. Koeman also flew to Liverpool to discuss future with Virgil van Dijk. “I felt he wasn’t there fully, at the Euros. I had the idea he was not at his best, defensively. So I flew to see him, spend time and discuss. As I did notice how great he played under Slot, at the start of the new season. But Virgil is committed. He can see his role in Oranje moving forward.”

The “new” squad – logical as it is – does need some more tweaking as Veerman and Van der Ven pulled out due to injuries, and JP van Hecke of Brighton is called in, alongside Justin Kluivert of Bournemouth.

This weekend, the nations league games commence and Oranje is playing Bosnia Herzegowina tomorrow and arch rivals Germany on Tuesday. Asked about the short time in between the Euros semis and these matches, Koeman responded: “The loss versus England didn’t bother me very long. A couple of days, I guess. The end of such a campaign is always abrupt for the loser. You go home, players leave for their break and then you are simply left to evaluate. I think overall, it was a good Euros. We were close and we could have gone all the way. I experienced it all as very positive.”

De Roon and Wijnaldum might have accepted their fate, what about Memphis? “He doesn’t have a club, which is a bit odd. If you don’t play, I won’t select you, of course, but I do find it odd that a player of his standing, with his stats, is still without a club. But a fit Memphis will always be an option for me. He’s only 30 years old. I am in contact with Memphis and I know about his situation and what he is working on.”

Steven Bergwijn, only 26 years old, does not have to count on a new invite. “It’s different for Steven. He has options to show his ambition in Europe and decided to go for the money. That is all good, but I don’t think I will need him moving forward. And yes, Wijnaldum went there and I did select him, but Gini went there as he had no other options. PSG didn’t play him and he needed a place to play, to prepare for the Euros. Wijnaldum had not much choice, but Bergwijn clearly put money over sport ambition so I close the book on him. He could also go to the EPL which is also not bad, financially, but he selected this option.”

As for the striker role, Koeman is interested to see who steps up. “We have three candidates now, with Brobbey, Zirkzee and Weghorst. Weghorst hasn’t played much, if at all. Brobbey is not 100%. But if I had stuck to my rules of “only fit players”, I would only have 13 players. And with Wout and his energy, workrate and passion, I felt I had to select him. I can’t play him for 90 minutes, but it’s good to have him.”

Stefan de Vrij, also an older player, was not selected. “But not because of his age. He played everything at the Euros and was one of our best players. He’s simply not fit, struggled with a hamstring, but he’ll be part of the campaign once he starts playing again.”

Kluivert’s selection was a surprise. “He’s fit, he plays and he plays well too. And he can play in the 10 role, this is how he plays for Bournemouth these days. And I selected Jurrien Timber ahead of Maatsen because I was impressed with Timber’s first games for Arsenal and I felt he deserved a little positive push after his ordeal last season.”

Frenkie de Jong was mentioned as well of course: “He is slowly getting there. It’s been a long time, he had the same ankle issue now three times. There is damage and it needs time to heal. I do hope he will return at full fitness at one stage.”

Joey Veerman expressed his disappointment recently how there was no real interest in him, this summer. “Joey needs to be challenged. I think the Eredivisie is too easy for him, to be honest He wanted to make a step and I actually also felt he had to. It’s necessary for him as he simply has too much time on the ball in Holland. He needs to play under way more resistance.”

What will be different for Oranje in this campaign, compared to the Euros? “It’s a different situation. With a tournament, most players arrive rested and focused on the tournament. And you get 2 weeks usually to prep. This is different. Some players won’t be 100% fit, others might carry a knock, and again some will come in after a loss, others after a win, so it’s a mixed bag and you need days to get everyone at the same level, so to speak. We need to improve our forward press, the build up in possession and we need to bring more energy, more intensity. And once we get to that stage, that is when you can really look at the ideal starting eleven.”

The press conference ended with Koeman’s view on Gravenberch. “He has done ever so well at this season’s start. We all knew he was an exceptional ball player but it seems he also turned a corner in terms of focus and tactical understanding. We all felt he had some focus issues and seemed to be a tad lacklustre at ties. It seems he now realises what it takes to play at world top level. This experience at Liverpool might be exactly what he needed. He is definitely an option for the 6 position.

 

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by Jan

Do you want my job?

Hi friends, we have been offline a bit. Apologies for this. There were some misunderstandings here and there, but we’re live again.

Right in time for the Oranje matches, coming up in the Nations League.

Sadly, my good friend Tarcisio will not be able to continue the blog as previously shared.

Which means: there is a job opening :-). If you want to run with the blog, let me know.

You can manage it, monetise it, grow it and have fun with it. I won’t be asking you for anything, except to stick to some basic rules.

Message me or leave a comment here if you’re interested.

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