Louis van Gaal is back in charge of the Oranje; Can they make some noise in Qatar after missing out on Russia?
Qualification Summary
UEFA Group G
- 1st place (23 points)
- 10 matches (7 wins, 2 draws, 1 loss)
- 33 goals, 8 conceded (+25 goal difference)
- Memphis Depay (12)
- Davy Klaassen (4)
- Donyell Malen (3)
- Luuk De Jong (3)
Meet the Manager
Dutch legend Louis van Gaal is back in charge of the Oranje for the third time after leading them in a very successful World Cup campaign in Brazil in 2014. The 71 year old is one of the most experienced managers in football, having previously been in charge of some of the world's most prestigious clubs including Ajax, Barcelona, Manchester United, and Bayern Munich. Since taking the Dutch helm after they crashed out of Euro 2020 against Czech Republic, van Gaal is yet to lose a game as the Netherlands manager, notching 11 wins and 4 draws. The most impressive performances have included a pair of Nations League victories over local rivals Belgium.
World Cup History
After failing to qualify for the World Cup in 2018, the Netherlands is once again back on the big stage. This will be the 11th time that the Oranje have participated in the tournament. Three of the previous ten editions have seen them finish as runners-up, including at back-to-back tournaments in the 1970s, and in 2010 when they lost to Spain in South Africa. No country has reached the final as much as the Netherlands without bringing home the trophy.
Key Players
Virgil van Dijk - center back, 31 - Liverpool (England) - 49 caps, 6 goals
Frenkie De Jong - midfielder, 25 - Barcelona (Spain) - 45 caps, 1 goal
Memphis Depay - forward, 28 - Barcelona (Spain) - 81 caps, 42 goals
Daley Blind - left/center back, 32 - Ajax (Netherlands) - 94 caps, 2 goals
Denzel Dumfries - right back, 26 - Inter Milan (Italy) - 37 caps, 5 goals
Cody Gakpo - forward, 23 - PSV (Netherlands) - 9 caps, 3 goals
Tactical Preview
Louis van Gaal has been known for preferring a 3-5-2 formation for a long time. His current Dutch side plays with similar tactics to his 2014 World Cup semifinalists.
- During long spells of possession, Netherlands formation often looks like a 2-3-5. The left-sided and central defenders of the back 3 stay deep. Recently this has been Nathan Aké and Virgil van Dijk, but it's possible that van Gaal drops Aké for either Matthijs de Ligt or Stefan de Vrij. The right-sided center back, namely Denzel Dumfries steps up into midfield alongside Frenkie de Jong. Daley Blind or Tyrell Malacia tucks inside from the left wingback position to form a three man midfield. This gives de Jong's partner in the pivot license to adventure forward. This can be any one of Davy Klaassen, Teun Koopmeiners, Steven Berghuis, or Ryan Gravenberch. Denzel Dumfries flies forward from the right wingback spot to operate as a de facto winger. The attacking midfielder, possibly Cody Gakpo, and the forwards are very fluid with their positioning. They possess the ability to run in behind the defense, as well as dropping deep to pick up possession and drive the ball forward.
- The defenders, especially Virgil van Dijk, Daley Blind, and Jurrien Timber are all extremely comfortable on the ball. This allows them to build out of the back, easily switch the field, and play the ball over the top to exploit the pace of Depay, Gakpo and Bergwijn up top.
- Without the ball the Netherlands often defends in a 5-3-2, using the athleticism of players like Aké, de Ligt, Timber and van Dijk to play a high line. They frequently deploy a man-oriented press. This requires lots of communication, and the leadership of veterans Blind and captain van Dijk will be crucial.
GK: Jasper Cillessen
CB: Jurrien Timber
CB: Virgil van Dijk
CB: Nathan Aké
RWB: Denzel Dumfries
CM: Teun Koopmeiners
CM: Frenkie De Jong
LWB: Daley Blind
CAM: Cody Gakpo
FW: Steven Bergwijn
FW: Memphis Depay
Potential Breakout Star: Cody Gakpo
Cody Gakpo could be a key contributor for the Netherlands. After breaking out for the PSV during the 2019-20 Eredivisie season, he made his Dutch senior team debut at Euro 2020 last summer. He typically operates on the left wing, but has the versatility to play up front or in behind the strikers as a number 10. This has allowed him to feature in Louis van Gaal's recent lineups, despite the formation lacking natural wingers.
Gakpo has had an incredible start to the season for PSV. At the time of writing, he has already scored 12 goals and provided 10 assists in just 15 games in all competitions. That tally puts him level with Manchester City's Erling Haaland for the most goal contributions in Europe so far this season. On top of his goalscoring output, he has the creativity and dribbling ability to take on defenders, the pace to run in behind a defensive line, and the strength to battle against more physically imposing opponents.
For the Netherlands he has been recently used as an attacking midfielder, lining up behind the forwards. He's given the freedom to drift wide to the left where he links up with Memphis Depay. He is also able to pick up the ball from the midfield pivot and drive the team forward. His sensational form for PSV has translated to international football as well, scoring against Poland and assisting against Belgium in the UEFA Nations League in September. If he can continue this form into November, he could be one of the key players for Louis van Gaal and a vital piece of their World Cup puzzle.
Revolving Door of Goalkeepers
There have been quite a few names floated around as to who will start in goal for the Netherlands in Qatar. Jasper Cillessen has been the Dutch number one for a long time, but many other players have been given a chance recently after Cillessen fell out of favor in La Liga. A strong start at his new club NEC back in the Eredivisie should be enough to see him keep his place.
At 38 years old, Remko Pasveer had a long journey to make his senior international debut. The in-form Ajax goalkeeper was given two opportunities to impress in the Nations League games in September and looked comfortable. Feyenoord's Justin Bijlow was the most used goalkeeper during World Cup Qualifying, starting six matches, but he has not appeared in a Dutch shirt since last November. Mark Flekken has started the Bundesliga season very well for Freiburg and made his Dutch debut in March. He also started two Nations League games over the summer.
Don't put it past van Gaal to use multiple keepers, either. Tim Krul was the hero in the 2014 quarter-finals when he was substituted on for Cillessen ahead of a penalty shootout against Costa Rica. Krul proceeded to dive the right way against every single Costa Rican penalty, saving three of them en route to winning the shootout. Krul played in three qualifiers for the Netherlands this cycle.
Long-time Dutch international Maarten Stekelenburg was the starter during the 2010 run to the final, and was between the sticks at Euro 2020, but retired from international football after that tournament. van Gaal called up Andries Noppert of Heerenveen to the Dutch camp in September. He brings great size, but may be unlikely to make the World Cup team given that he's never made a senior appearance for the Netherlands.
