How does the overseas media view the Dutch staff? ‘Koeman is a supervisor with a way of actuality’

• Guido van Gorp

  NOS Sport investigative journalist

Whereas Louis van Gaal shouted within the preparation earlier than the World Cup in Qatar that he wished to be the world champion, the nationwide coach Ronald Koeman is now lowering the expectations. Together with captain Virgil van Dijk, he significantly advocates for astronomy.

Overseas they perceive that. In the previous few days, NOS has measured the temper of ten famend soccer journalists from completely different European international locations. Expectations across the Dutch staff are low, though they consider Koeman is able to a shock.

This text was produced with the collaboration of Phil McNulty (BBC, England), Bart Lagae (De Standaard, Belgium), Diego Torres (El Pais, Spain), Costin Stucan (IamSport.ro, ProTV, Romania), Robert Blonski (Przeglad). Sportowy, Poland), Serkan Saydam (TRT, Turkey), Marie Juul Jørgensen (TV2, Denmark), Alessandra Bocci (Gazzetta dello Sport, Italy), Kevin Schwank (Bild, Germany) and Bernard Lions ( L’Equipe, France).

Her first response when she noticed Koeman’s choice? “This can be a staff that’s the envy of many international locations,” mentioned Marie Juul Jørgensen of Danish TV2.

“Van Dijk is a captain each nation would need. Frenkie de Jong is an excellent midfielder. Denmark would desire a participant like that, even when he’s solely 90 p.c. And Memphis, together with his velocity and expertise, we will lend him this. European Championship?”

All of it seems good on paper, she thinks. However not more than the quarter-finals. “It typically appears that the gamers suppose they’re good, with out displaying their true class. It’s Koeman’s duty to encourage that.”

Alessandra Bocci additionally sees Koeman as the important thing to success. Lastly, Holland has a frontrunner with a way of actuality, sighs the reporter from Gazzetta dello Sport.

“I’ve adopted the Dutch staff very a lot. Lately, improper selections have been made by nationwide coaches. Now the appropriate man is in the appropriate place. I really like Koeman as a coach. He’s a hyperlink good steadiness between the well-known Dutch College and a extra pragmatic imaginative and prescient you have to be profitable.”

Phil McNulty, lifeless als chef soccer writes for the BBC, significantly curious concerning the Dutch nationwide staff. He sees a great mixture of younger and outdated within the staff and options, amongst others, Micky van de Ven, who performs in England (“glorious“), Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo out.

“It is going to be fascinating to see how Koeman holds up as a supervisor at a significant competitors. He has an odd fame in England. First he guided Southampton and Everton into European soccer. Then he went downhill quick.”

“Koeman understands how a majority of these competitions work and the way you win them as a participant. I believe Holland can shock individuals,” mentioned the Brit.

For a lot of the ten journalists who spoke to them, the Dutch staff is a reasonably satisfactory staff. The ultimate formation, techniques and sport plan: nobody is aware of for certain. There are few proofs or clear patterns accessible right now. As well as, there are lots of query marks concerning the suitability of key gamers.

“Evidently Koeman has not discovered the appropriate formulation but and the type of gamers like De Jong and Depay raises questions,” says Bernard Lions, who follows the Dutch staff for the French sports activities newspaper L’Équipe. But when he manages to search out the appropriate techniques and primary formation, Holland will likely be tough to play.”

Diego Torres, European Championship observer for the Spanish newspaper El País, additionally sees this. In accordance with him, Holland is an out of doors basic, even a possible killer.

“In my view, every part revolves across the trio of Van Dijk, De Jong, Memphis. Gamers like this not solely play for themselves, however they may help teammates rise above themselves. Are they match and in form? Then Holland may even win the European. Tree.”

There’s much less hope from Jap Europe. “The semi-finals. That is the highest. Not your favourites. Nations like England, France or Portugal simply look higher,” mentioned a Polish soccer journalist, Robert Blonski.

Costin Stucan, sports activities presenter from Romania: “I at all times find it irresistible When has been. Once we performed soccer on the street, I used to be Van Breukelen. However once I take a look at the present staff, I do not suppose this European Championship will likely be one to recollect.

Serkan Saydam from the Turkish broadcaster TRT additionally has little confidence within the Dutch staff. “I keep in mind your groups from 1988, 1998, 2000 and 2010. These have been groups with many stars, from the highest golf equipment. That’s now your massive downside. Defensively it’s good, however for being champions is just too poor to be offensive.”

Bart Lagae of the Belgian newspaper De Standaard is a bit more optimistic. In his opinion, the Dutch staff has a robust protection, glorious wings and Bart Verbruggen is “a really fashionable goalkeeper who performs soccer”. However however, he expects a boring and distinctive competitors. Holland comes out on high from the beginning, however is just not rewarded.