Ronald Koeman has explained the line-up of the Dutch national team. On Monday evening, the the Dutch squad will play its second group match of the European Championship qualifying series against Gibraltar in De Kuip with four new names compared to the lost game with France (4-0). Prior to the game, the national coach is especially very positive about debutant Mats Wieffer, who will receive a starting spot and, according to the choice lord, has had an excellent week of training.
“It is clear that we play in a very small space, so you also have to have a lot of people in their sixteenths,” the coach opens in conversation with reporter Jeroen Stekelenburg in front of the camera of the NOS. “That is why we have two numbers ten and only one defensive midfielder. I have drafted Weghorst to have occupation in the sixteen. In these kinds of matches you expect to get through through the sides, because that’s where the spaces are ultimately. The backs also have to go forward, so you get the cross. Then you always have to have at least four and preferably sometimes five people in the sixteen. The connection must also be good, so that the second ball is also caught.”
Koeman chooses to let Wieffer make his debut in the the Dutch squad. The Feyenoord midfielder has had an excellent week of training and replaces Marten de Roon, who was given a starting spot against France due to Wieffer’s lack of fitness. “I’m not even curious about Wieffer, because I know what he can do. It won’t be a surprise. He definitely impressed this week, otherwise he wouldn’t start today either. He is fit enough to play.”
“We wanted to field the strongest team today,” Koeman continues. “Gibraltar’s only weapon is normally the standard situation, so that’s why we have a lot of length in the team today. In addition, I expect to get a lot of corners today, and we will have to get results from that. Then it’s always nice to have guys with height. Incidentally, Koeman does not want to make any statements about the expected result: “Actually, the score can never be high enough, but we first have to see if we can make it 1-0.”