The Netherlands’ last training session before the opening match of the European Championship (against Ukraine at 20:00) was marked by an unusual moment. While the players were working a plane flew over with a request for picker Frank De Boer.
“Frank, stay at the 4x3x3”, it read. Asked about the matter, the Dutch coach replied in a good-humored way: “Thank you for the tip, but we’re going to play in 3x5x2”, he shot.
Named Netherlands coach in 2020, Frank De Boer has been criticized for the tactical shift he made before the UEFA European Championship. The former Barcelona and Ajax player abandoned the traditional 4x3x3 of A Clockwork Orange in favor of a three-back scheme that earned him a draw with Scotland (2-2) and a victory against Georgia (3-0).
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