The Dutch national team expects to play against a false striker from Turkey in the quarter-finals of the European Championship on Saturday evening. Ronald Koeman has given special instructions to the Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk, the national coach told the NOS.

The Netherlands will start with the same line-up as on Tuesday against Romania (0-3 win). “It was easier than after the match against Austria to determine the line-up, that much is clear. You always try to look for certainties in a team. I think we played well against Romania.”

The surprise was great when Steven Bergwijn appeared at the kick-off against the Romanians. The Ajax attacker plays again against Turkey. “I prefer to start with Steven and to keep Donyell (Malen, ed.) in reserve. Bergwijn starts based on his good half against Romania. I did not want to change that, now that it has become clear that Steven is fit.”

Turkey plays with Arda Güler as a false number 9. Against Austria, the Dutch team already had a lot of trouble with such a type. “I think Güler will drop back even more than Marco Arnautovic at Austria, who is more of an attacker than he is,” says Koeman.

Koeman knows how he wants to play the Turks. “We have to cover. They have two men who probably come in front of the goal from the side. That is for Stefan de Vrij and Nathan Aké.”

Van Dijk is in principle charged with guarding Güler, but communication with the midfielders is crucial when the Turkish top talent drops far back. “The play between Schouten and Virgil or Reijnders and Virgil becomes very important,” says Koeman. “You don't want Van Dijk to run too far forward, then two of our defenders are left in a big space, we will have to take over in midfield.”

Turkey plays with three center backs and high wing backs. “We want to put pressure on their three center backs with our three attackers, but always from the side, so that the ball cannot go too easily to the wing back. Then you sometimes end up playing one-on-one, but that is not bad.”

The Netherlands is prepared for the noise that the Turkish fans will make in the Olympiastadion in Berlin. “I'm still surprised. I still see a lot of the Dutch. The Turks will probably make a bit more noise, but in the end it will be decided between the white lines.”

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