Oranje's two best and most creative players, Memphis and Frenkie - both had an awful game at the same time. This rarely happens, if ever... hopefully this was just a fluke. In fact, Memphis in the first half was beyond atrocious - he couldn't make a simple pass and kept running into a wall. Crazy to think that he still got the chance to win it all but, unfortunately, a missed penalty. Frenkie looked tired and frustrated, but credit as well to Polish players who did a very tidy job closing him down. Berghuis struggled in a closed game like today. He needed space to operate, but none was available. And his lack of speed made his game even slower. He should have been substituted out by half time. Well... Blind's performance is kind of expected. He has a pretty consistent ratio of 1 good game to 1 poor game. He played marvelously against Belgium, so today was his evil-twin playing.
But that's what they need to do when they play a 3 back line. Imagine if Malacia were in the lineup today and running down the flank. It has nothing to do with Blind's speed but where on the pitch the wing back are and what the responsibility of the outside CB is. You would not see Timber make the kind of mistake that Ake does in that regard.
Timber had the luxury of Dumfries playing the "rhgtback" position, as Denzel moves back so fast Timber hasnot got to fill that gap. If Malacia was on the pitch, with his speed would have covered the back position and thus making Ake trying to plug holes unnecesary. As I posted this line up made no sense with the formation played, hence my 4 rating for LvG this match.
I don't think Frenkie thrives in a 3-5-2 formation. Too many players in the midfield and too little up front. As I already posted this formation with this crew made no sense, was pretty useless. The right crew would have been: Timber-de Vrij-Ake Dumfries-Wijnaldum-Koopmeiners-de Jong-Malacia Bergwijn-Memphis (and after 20 minutes shit play subbed for Gakpo).
Blind was just awful in this game. Even it is a friendly Nations League, I don't see how LVG can defend his choice of Blind as the starting LB. Malacia should have been given a chance in these Nations League the rest of the matches as the starting LB. I am afraid that Blind will be the wing where the WC opponent exploit (e.g. he will have a tough time to face Mane). I don't see how the coaching staff will change their mind about Blind, no matter how bad he performed. Ake had to cover for Blind but he is again not a starting CB. De Vrij, De Ligt and VVD are. If push comes to shove, Ake can play LB. Flekken does not show enough confidence, neither does Teze. Both Teze and Hateboer are a big drop off. I really hope Karsdorp can make the NL games in September and secure the RB with Dumfries. No more Teze and Hateboer. Timber as CB is decent, but he cannot play as RB. He is more suited as 1 of CB or can be defensive midfield. Klaassen as bad as he is, still can score where Memphis fails to show up today. Like Bergwijn Klassen will be selected for this WC as both scored for LVG. I think we will see Janssen in the next Wales game. The squad is pretty much done with 2 spots left. Bijlow, Cillessen, Flekken Dumfries, De Ligt, VVD, De Vrij, Malacia, Ake, Timber, Blind FDJ, Klaassen, Berghuis, Koop, Lang Memphis, Bergwijn, Weghorst, Gakpo, Danjuma The 2 last spots I hope Karsdorp and 1 of Gravenberch/Wijnaldum will get. De Roon, Van De Beek, LDJ and Malen might be outside looking in. I think we can forget about those U21 call up for this WC unless LVG call up someone in September.
Frenkie not on the ball enough to run the ball through the lines. Poland low block was not under enough pressure as Memphis touch was off and no killer pass from Berghius much too slow in possession or Klaassen who provides zero creativity in middle which is ridiculous and outrageously poor. Changes need to be made in midfield to get better ball distribution whether it’s Koop, Wijnaldum, Gravenberch, perhaps Lang as a 10 or Memphis who knows, but it needs a different look. Blind at left wing back is so frustrating and hard to watch. If he is not going to defend why not put a faster more dynamic player there like Danjuma? Blind is no threat to run by his man and when closed down does little, but Van Gaal and Chief Scout Daddy Blind are blind to this reality. All that aside it does seem that Van Gaal has instilled a strong fighting spirit in the team, and the boys seem to work and care for one another which is very positive.
Well, Frenkie did well v. Belgium (and previous matches) - I think he’s smart enough to adapt in a 352. The key is to get him some help, if he has an off-day and/or gets double-teamed. Berghuis wasn’t much of a factor at all yesterday (and he got physically bullied as well handful times… one led to him getting a yellow card). I think Koopmeiners should have started, or come in the HT mark. Koopmeiners would bring more balance, he is defensively sound so he could sit deeper allowing Frenkie to be more advanced and on the ball more. So IMO... the midfield trio should be Frenkie, Koopmeiners and a Runner. Klaassen has a nice goal scoring record for Oranje, I don’t mind him, though Gini Wijnaldum on his best days is a very efficient engine (and a goal threat as well). I bet this configuration would work 80% of the time… When chasing goals, bring an extra speedy forward (Gakpo, Danjuma) to replace the Runner. Memphis then bridges the midfield and attack, as a pseudo No. 10.
When other team open up and play vs NT, there are rooms and spaces to be exploited. When other teams decide to play defensive, counter attack and especially disrupt/mark FDJ, this team has problem and it seems LVG has not figured out the solution yet. Klassen is pretty much invisible and pop up to score once in a while as usual; Berghuis is not creative enough and that is also expected, but these two seems to be LVG's first choice to start with FDJ. I agree that Koop has potential to be the difference and should have started, but he is not there yet. Whenever we switch to Weghorst, there needs to be enough service, but when that dries up too, this team has no other way to break through (not enough wingers who can penetrate like in 4-3-3 formation where I was hoping Danjuma and Lang can thrive; attack the box and earn free kick/PK, or someone with a very good long shot, like Haan, Koeman, Jonk...). We need mobility on both wings, by starting Blind, the other team simply focus on Dumfries side. This is almost the same when we have Berghuis as the right winger. Team can just focus on the winger and NT's options are limited and easy to deal with. This Poland game is a good test for LVG to fix his flaws. Hopefully he will do but it sounds like he is happy that this team fights back and almost win (had it not for Memphis to miss PK) rather than humbly admit that they need to be better. When you play elite team a draw is fine. When you play team below you, a draw is like a lost. Comes to knock out stage and one mistake can send you home.
Vincent Janssen is starting v. Wales tomorrow apparently. De Ligt will captain the side. Sounds like the rest will be a Team B again.
Looking ahead to September, Van Gaal was asked if he would like his definite World Cup squad for that period and he responded, “Almost. I explained that to the players again this morning. However, the word almost is strongly underlined.” I wonder if Karsdorp will have a chance or it is a polite way to say that "too bad you are injured when called up...".
I like Lang and Gakpo, both gives the team some spices. De Ligt with an error, silly pass through the middle. BMI and his elbow are disaster waiting to happen.
Frenkie' and koopmeiners combo to me looks unproductive.while Frenkie' dedicates koopmeiners is a pedestrian
Comical penalty. Compare this one with the cancellation vs Germany... Robbed and disadvantaged once again. I hate those Welsh Weirdos.
I thought the penalty call was correct. Malacia went in with his elbow high. This would have been called outside the box in midfield, and there was an earlier one that was indeed called. If it is a foul in midfield it's a foul in the box and a clear penalty.