National coach Louis van Gaal has again spoken highly of Memphis Depay before the match against Qatar. The 28-year-old attacker from Barcelona will receive his first starting place at this World Cup against the host country on Tuesday afternoon. The 71-year-old choice lord again uses the interview before the start of the match to praise his star player and also explains the role of midfielder Marten de Roon.
“I think Memphis is a player that cannot be compared to any player in the the Dutch squad,” Van Gaal begins his hymn. “I think he has been of tremendous value both in World Cup qualifying and in the Nations League. We’ll see how it goes now, because he hasn’t played for a few months.” Against Senegal (0-2 win) and Ecuador (1-1), Memphis managed to convince little as a substitute.
Van Gaal would like to see De Roon in a midfield with Frenkie de Jong and Davy Klaassen, but also has a specific assignment for the controller. “It also has to do with one of Qatar’s strikers, who is collapsing. Frenkie de Jong will have the same role in the build-up, but a different role in possession of the opponent.” The Atalanta midfielder will therefore have to keep striker Almoez Ali in line. Akram Afif, Qatar’s other striker, normally seeks more depth.
Van Gaal does not think it is strange that he again chooses another midfielder against Qatar. Against Senegal, Steven Berghuis was allowed to try alongside De Jong, while Teun Koopmeiners also failed to impress against Ecuador last Friday. “We will probably play against stronger opponents. I try to look at everything from all sides. We play a tournament, in principle you get all flavors,” said Van Gaal about rotating in the middle line.
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