The Netherlands had as dominant a game as they could have wished for. Highlighting that this team shouldn’t be written off so easily.
Ok, I really enjoyed this game. Not in the same way as the match versus Ukraine. That game was a back and forth, open ended and very free type of game. Brilliant for the neutrals. This one however was much more about Holland’s impressive tactics, individual and collective quality and their organisation. It was a performance which should silence the critics of game one and also make people step up and see a genuine contender for this tournament.
Let’s look at some key outcomes from this game.
Overlapping centre backs
The addition of Matias De Ligt was massive for Holland. It brought more stability, security and dominance to the defence and team as a whole. He made some key tackles as well as a big block in the first half (which doesn’t register as a shot on target but it really should). A block like that needs to be commended and respected. He was very good and Austria struggled to create much at all with his commanding presence, heading and positioning.
His role in the middle of the back three enabled both De Vrij and Blind to get forward and make overlapping runs. The first goal comes from this situation where De Vrij runs beyond play and receives a pass from Dumfries down the line. He gets a 1v1 into the area and while dives the ball is kept active and Dumfries reacts quickest, beating Alaba to the ball, getting caught and winning a penalty.
Later in the half Blind goes on a similar run forwards but isn’t played in by Memphis but the rotations, movement and positive thinking from the centre halves of Holland is excellent and important for their dominating of possession.
Playing between lines
With the ball Holland sought to play through the thirds - and mainly through Memphis. They say Holland are playing a 3-5-2 but this is very much a 3-4-2-1 with a box midfield and it’s evident Memphis is playing on the left in the half space with Winjaldum on the right of the box. Much of Holland’s play was seeking to play on the left and to find Memphis. Throughout the game there were many instances of Memphis finding pockets of space to turn and receive. The issue however was Memphis not always making the right choice or necessary quality to maximise his space and position.
A key figure in the build was of course Frenkie De Jong who really did run the show and shows such an abiity to link play and create from deep. His ability to twist and turn, to make the right pass with the right weight, is a perfect example as to why he suits Barcelona and why they wanted him so badly. He is one of the best in the game at doing this and along with his pressing and counter-pressing ability makes him such an effective all round midfielder. And while Barca have sought to play him higher this year under Koeman, for me he is much better deeper.
What was clear is that Holland’s possession Austria could not deal with or counter. Far too much space between units allowed De Jong and the centre backs chances to play through and penetrate. However, a big failing and issue for Holland is their ability to convert and create from these positions. Memphis is a quality footballer but he was wasteful with his play in these areas. And there were too many poorly executed and mis-timed runs behind when players had the ball in these key areas. It’s a challenge for Holland to improve in these area because although they had 14 shots, only 4 were on target. They could create more chances and be more clinical in order to progress far in the competition.
It brings up the issue with Weghorst. A player who has done very for Wolfsberg this season and who deserves his call-up and opportunity but I just don’t see him fitting in with this style of play. They aren’t playing to a target man and playing off that – a bit like Belguim do with Lukaku (who is a much better forward) but they play into Memphis as their key creator. So, with Weghorst he is a forward suited to a cross and finish type attack, or a big target man style, neither of which this Holland team are playing.
This system actually suits a forward like Werner for Chelsea who is fast and can get behind at speed. To penetrate and stretch defence. In Donyell Malen they have that perfect type. And when Malen came on in a matter of minutes he had got in behind and set up the second goal. And while I felt Malen would be better through the middle and Memphis staying in his original position, this change worked. But the method was still the same; play into Memphis and run beyond for his through ball. Perhaps Malen is a good option off the bench to use his speed against a tired defence, but I feel this system would be enhanced much further with him playing instead of Weghorst.
Containing and dominating without the ball
It’s interesting that Austria actually had more possession in the game than Holland 53% to 47%. But Austria’s possession was often with their defence in their own defensive third. Mainly through Alaba who was playing as a type of libero from the back – but who struggled to impact the game significantly from here as his options higher up were limited. It allowed Holland the chance to get into a 4-3-3 type of formation to press with Winjaldum pushing up with Depay and Weghorst. Their press was a type of mid-block just waiting to invite and press at the right time. In the 44th minute De Jong did a great job of regaining from the pass into midfield and Holland had a good counter chance. This was a regular pattern of the game, showing Holland in control with and without the ball.
Denziel Dumfries won the penalty and scored again. Showing how important he is to this system and team. Although much of the play went on the left this game, he still steps up and produces game winning moments. An excellent defender too as well as a great option when attacking.
Gini Wijnaldum was able to roam and link the play once again, as well as be a key part of the pressing, Having De Jong and De Roon behind him gives him more freedom to push forward and play his more natural and expressive game. His defensive pressing and energy was excellent.
It was a delight to see Ryan Gravenberch come on and play some part of this game. He is such an exciting young talent and I believe is going to be a top player in the game this next 5 years.
Nathan Ake may not be trusted to start and with Daley Blind’s performances and pass quality you can appreciate that Ake is his understudy. But when he comes on for the final 30 mins he shows such good progressive play. He made the assist to win versus Ukraine and I thought kept possession and broke lines really well in this game. It’s clear that in this system the more progressive runners and passers from the back have more freedom to break lines and join attacks and Ake is a perfect type of player to use in order to overload midfield and get forwards – while having the security to do so without exposing big areas in transition.
Ultimately Holland played a very superior game against an opponent who was very average on the day. Austria disappointment but De Boer and Holland deserve the credit for making this the case. They had a good pressing strategy which was well executed and effective. And they played through Austria with ease and intelligence. If not for being wasteful with chances, and a lack of a real goalscroer may well be Holland’s ultimate undoing, this was an excellent performance and one which deserves a lot of praise. De Boer was critcised for not using a 4-3-3. Well, this system is bringing out the best in all the players on the pitch. Dutch fans should apologise and respect what De Boer is delivering.
The Whitehouse Address @TheWAddress
No comments:
Post a Comment