The experimentation and chance use different formations and lineups in this game, pointed towards a side and coach who has trust and confidence in his squad’s capabilities. It bodes well for Holland.
So there’s the group stage over. And Holland end it with 3 wins, maximum points and most goals scored so far (8). Two clean sheets in the past two games also. It’s starting to look pretty good for this Dutch team. So the question is, is this team actually capable of winning the tournament?
Holland did not come in with much hope or fanfare. Fans were protesting about the tactics, De Boer was not regarded highly and they were missing their best and most important player in Virgil van Dijk. But three games in and belief is there, the confidence is high and people are now considering Holland as a a genuine container.
What has happened? Well, De Boer has embraced a 3-4-2-1 system, bringing out the best in many of the squad, namely; Denziel Dumfries, Memphis Depay, Frenkie De Jong, Gini Wijnaldum and Daley Blind. All these players are playing to their best and playing in roles and positions which is bringing out their best. As I’ve argued in the previous analysis articles this Dutch team have played a 3-4-2-1 and used a box midfield with Memphis and Wijnaldum at the top of the box. The 3-5-2 hasn’t been used like many expected. Memphis' positioning was key for this.
However, in the game against North Macedonia the 3-5-2 was used. And this is because of Donyell Malen. I have felt Malen should start ahead of Weghorst because of the following factors; Holland were playing a between units style of football, not utilising a target man, and so Weghorst may be occupying defenders to create space for midfielders to receive, but ultimately he wasn’t used to his strengths. Holland didn’t put in high deep crosses, and when they did many of their crosses were from the touchline/six yard box and were more cut back/box pass type balls. Not balls suited or beneficial for a giant centre forward who is a good header of the ball. And thirdly, Weghorst doesn’t offer speed or fluidity in his movement – so he can’t stretch defences from deep because he isn’t rapid, and he also doesn’t move outside of the 9 role.
So Holland were able to get Memphis on the ball through the lines, but Weghorst wasn’t able to utilise the through ball or good enough with his quick link play around the area. Donyell Malen however offers a very different skill-set and the game. And Holland are simply better for it. Against Austria he made an immediate impact with a deep run from the half way line to setup Dumfries. And against Macedonia who creates three great chances in the game - two which led to goals and one which was well saved. He importantly offers variability in his movement and positioning. So a 3-5-2 was able to be used in the game against North Macedonia. And to good effect.
In this game it was clearly a 3-5-2 with a two man forward line of Memphis and Malen, with Wijnaldum playing behind them as a 10 and De Jong and Gravenberch behind to make the 2-1 midfield. I actually felt that Holland have looked better with the box and 1 CF but there was clearly more rotation and fluidity in the 1st half from the midfield three and the forwards. So while it was harder to find free men between units, it was harder to recognise positions and movements as there was just more freedom to roam and rotate.
The importance of Malen
It was an open first 15 mins – where Macedonia could well have scored and made the game more interesting – this is a big problem for Holland to address as they come up against better sides and the knockout version. Because if they start cagey or open in these games they could find it hard to comeback. In the game against Ukraine and Macedonia the first 15 misn were open and while entertaining, concerning for a coach.
But the Dutch got their goal from a deep counter attack and just tore through Macedonia’s defence with relative ease. Malen’s dribble, combination with Memphis and cut back to finish was a great goal. And highlighted how threatening Holland can be in transition. They have speed and clinical forwards. Like Holland in the 2014 World Cup, and France’s 2018 triumph, counter attacking can be the key to win games and trophies. And so Malen proved he can be a more important and threatening option for the side.
As well as this he was a more fitting member of the unit as a whole. Holland simply played better link up and rotated better with him playing. He likes to drift into the left halfspace for PSV and does the same for Holland, meaning Memphis can move more central and roam more. And it’s worked. He created the goal and also created another chance for Dumfries with his speed down the left. This guy is a real threat – skilful and quick with a good eye to score and create. He is just more worrying than Weghorst for many defenders in this tournament. Speed is a bigger threat than height.
Can I just remark about Frenkie De Jong here. For me the best player at this tournament so far. From what I’ve seen there are few players who have matched his level, quality and impact, over the course of 3 games. De Jong is a wonderful technician, a brilliant link player and a lovely dribbler. Capable of withstanding pressure and retaining possession under pressure brilliantly, while having the abilit to drop his shoulder and evade pressure and break lines.
And as well as his class with the ball, he shows brilliant positioning and scanning, to find space and be aware of options and danger early. And finally, he is an excellent presser and spoiler. He wins the ball with counter-pressing excellently, denying counter attacks and regaining the ball really well time and again.
This guy is a football education. The modern version of Xavi and Iniesta. No wonder Barca bought him. I just wonder if he’s not appreciate enough by fans and commentators of the game. And particularly by coaches and young players – look at his skills, intelligence and bravery. A lesson and inspiration!
Second half experimenting
So anyway, 1-0 half time, playing a 3-5-2. More fluidity and rotations, some nice interplay and quality. Malen was a better addition to the team and overall Holland impressed as the half developed.
Now the 2nd half was even more interesting and intriguing. The formation and personnel. changes became more pronounced and experimental. And Holland dominated the game more; more chances, less chances allowed and two more goals scored, yet could have been more.
Jurrien Timber and Steven Berghuis come on for De Vrij and Dumfries and the shape goes to a 4-3-3. Berghuis becomes a classic 7 winger in a 4-3-3 but on the left it’s a bit more fluid – Van Aanholt occupies more of the wing on the left and a mix of Memphis/Malen/Gravenberch rotate and play in the left halfspace. Holland’s change of formation meant more players could occupy central areas and overload the midfield – particularly on the left side, which is where the second and third goals comes from.
Holland win the ball from a Macedonia throw on their right side, a quick through ball from Berghuis to put Depay through and an excellent box pass to Wijnaldum to slot it away. Another ruthless transiton – this one from a high press. Memphis a key part of it again. And Wijnaldum in the area to score once again. A common theme for these two players impacting games.
The third goal was a thing of build up beauty and an indicator of what this formation allowed – rotations and timing of when to play forward and keep the ball, moving the opposition and waiting for the time to strike. Gravenberch and De Jong retain and rotate in a false left back positon on the half way line, waiting for the chance to play forward. They move the ball into Macedonia’s half and De Jong links with Timber – who playing at right back now occupies a central midfielder position. He links with De Jong who then passes a delightful pass through to Malen who has moved between lines, he sets a delicious one touch through to Memphis – who has made a fantastic movement to create the space behind – and while his shot is saved there is Wijanldum to put in his second rebound shot of the tournament.
This goal was poetry. An education in midfield overloads, combinations and breaking lines. Of positional rotation. Of patience, timing and movement. One of my favourite goals of the tournament.
So the fluid 4-3-3 worked well. But a concern is that Holland allowed themselves to allow themselves to have just 2 at the back in De Ligt and Blind. (Can I just say what a great passer and intelligent player Blind is!) and while this may have worked with van Dijk (like at Liverpool) I cannot imagine this would be viable against better opposition with just Blind and De Ligt. Which is why I can't see a 4-3-3 being what De Boer will use - unless chasing a game. So much space is allowed. And while the extra player allowed Holland to overload higher up, and Holland played better for it, can they risk that defensive setup?
Quincy Promes and Weghorst came on for the final 25 minutes and made a good impact. Promes particularly looked a good threat down the left – with good movement, speed and skill. Just lacking the real quality to convert and produce. Weghorst had a good chance from a De Jong regain/killer pass but hit it high and hit the bar.
Tactically these changes seemed to correspond to Berghuis coming more central and allowing Timber to be the wider option – but the game rarely came down the right. Most of the build up continued to come down and through the left and central areas. Holland made this a game comfortable win in the end.
Holland have used a variety of formations throughout these games. I think the 3-4-2-1 with Malen is still their best option for the style of football which has worked best for them, which gets Dumfries into excellent attacking areas and which allows them to be threatning on the counter attack. But this ability to change and shift between systems and strategies are important in tournament football. Credit to De Boer for showing this experimental mentality. Players were given a good run out, able to show their worth, with Gravenberch and Promes looking like really strong options to use. Malen for me should be a starter – his relationship with Memphis looks very positive.
Do I think Holland can win the tournament? Not at this time. But have I been most impressed by their football and performances so far? Yes, absolutely. Italy have been the only team more impressive, but they are a more oiled machine, almost perfectly balanced and entering this tournament on the back of a long unbeaten streak. Italy should have been considered a potential champion before the games kicked off. They are simply justifying that belief after three games.
Holland have been the biggest entertainers of the group stage. They have played a very progressive and creative style of football. This game allowed more rotation and fluiduity in their play, aspects of the game which I love to see. Players moving, rotating and linking up – it’s hard to defend and it’s a delight to watch. They showcased this very in ths game.
Malen being the key to making it work compared to Weghorts. Frenkie De Jong and Memphis have been excellent. Wijnaldum has been brilliant higher up the pitch. And with De Ligt they are yet to concede a goal and look very solid with him in the middle of a back three.
I hope they continue to play with the confidence and belief they have done across these three games. I believe they can progress to the semi-finals at least. If they don’t win it, then I hope Holland are remembered for the entertaining fashion they approached the tournament, And sometimes that can mean more.
The Whitehouse Address @TheWAddress
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