Arsène Wenger and Jürgen Klinsmann are full of praise for the Dutch national team. The two are members of FIFA’s technical committee and shed light on the main trends at the World Cup on Sunday. Both Wenger and Klinsmann were very pleased with the the Dutch. The former also thinks that Daley Blind and Denzel Dumfries can play a crucial role in the continuation of the tournament.
Fullbacks Blind and Dumfries play an important role in the 5-3-2 system of national coach Louis van Gaal. The two together accounted for two goals and three assists in the round of 16 against the United States (3-1). The crosses from the sides were crucial. Wenger thinks that the the Dutch can go far with that type of game. “Those goals all came from the side. I think the team with the best wingers will win this World Cup. And they don’t have to be wingers, it can also be wingbacks to go. Teams that manage to break through lines and skip players in passing have a better chance of winning.”
The the Dutch is also at the top of the ranking of teams that need the fewest goal attempts to reach a goal. Countries such as Belgium and Germany, which have since been eliminated, needed many more shots per goal. “These statistics do not say that Germany plays bad football, but Germany does not have Gakpo or Depay,” Klinsmann spoke highly of the attacking duo of the Dutch. “Smart players can make a difference with a run. Gakpo’s goal against Senegal (he scored with a header after a smart run, ed.) was a perfect example of that.”
“The discussion about beautiful football is not only being held in the Netherlands, it is happening everywhere,” continues the former top striker. “But a coach mainly looks at the players he has, 26 in this case. That is a big puzzle, and a game plan then rolls out.” The the Dutch came out much better against the US on Saturday after a difficult group stage. The Americans had more shots and ball possession, but could not compete with the sharp counterplay of the Netherlands. Depay, Blind and Dumfries accounted for the hits. States, Haji Wright was accurate.