For the first time since 2002, Netherlands have defeated Germany. Ronald Koeman’s men put their rivals to the sword and recorded a 3-0 win in the Johan Cruyff Arena to get their UEFA Nations league campaign kickstarted.
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For the visit of Germany, Ronald Koeman reverted back to a 4-3-3 with Steven Bergwijn and Denzel Dumfries handed their debuts, while Marten de Roon started in midfield. Pablo Rosario was expected to start but he is still banned after picking up a red card for the U21’s last month.
Germany controlled possession from the start and they got some chances with Netherlands looking shaky at the back. Timo Warner fired wide when through on goal while Jasper Cillessen had to make an excellent save to deny Thomas Muller.
Netherlands looked dangerous on the counter-attack but it was from a corner that they took the lead in the 30th minute. Memphis Depay’s excellent cross was headed onto the bar by Ryan Babel but Virgil van Dijk reacted quickly to nod into the net.
Muller fired a great chance to equalise into the side netting before Netherlands came close to a second. Dumfries cross was just cleared ahead of Babel before Memphis Depay headed just wide. Early in the second half, Dumfries saw a strike just tipped wide by Manuel Neuer.
Germany reacted by bringing on both Leroy Sane and Julian Draxler and in the 65th minute, the former missed an excellent chance to equalise, firing wide when faced with Cillessen at close range.
Koeman brought Quincy Promes and debutante Arnaut Danjuma Groeneveld on to try and gain some control back as Germany began to take control. However, Germany couldn’t turn their possession into clear chances and the hosts remained dangerous on the counter-attack.
With four minutes to go, Daley Blind robbed the ball on the wing, played Quincy Promes through on the right and the winger picked out Memphis in the centre. Memphis took a touch before firing past Neuer to make it 2-0.
The Lyon star then smacked a strike off the bar before Georginio Wijnaldum sealed the big victory late on with an excellent solo goal. The Liverpool midfielder coasted past two Germans before firing into the bottom corner.
Netherlands biggest ever win over the Germans gets them off and running in the UEFA Nations League. Up next is a friendly against Belgium in midweek.
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Michael Bell called it, twice!
I would like to see more structure in the midfield. At time the three midfielders did not connect. Dumfries although he is a good man marker was often caught out of position and does not really cut it when it comes to possession. De Roon reminds of Strootman; you do not see what he really contributes.Van der Beek needs to start, there is no ifs or buts. Bergwyn is too wild in his play, Kluivert is a much better striker. The one really positive is that for the first time in a long time I saw Dutch team that actually DEFENDED well when under pressure in the second half. One more thing, I believe Memphis should be advised to play more one touch outside of the final third. He is not actually very quick and should pattern his play out of Romario who did his damage in the final third where it matters.
Wow, dude. National team is finally on the right track after 4 poor years, and you do nothing but complain.
De Roon played because neither Propper nor Rosario was available. He lacks pace, but if he made several good interventions. Also make a great pass to send Promes away on the 2-0 goal.
Kluivert? LOL he has flopped so far at Roma (unsurprisingly) and has rightly been excluded from the senior team. Way too inexperienced, insolent, and lightweight.
As for the perception that the team wasn’t good enough in attack, this was Germany they were playing, not Bulgaria. Koeman set up the team to hurt Germany on the counterattack and it worked to perfection.
Wow. I wouldn’t think it was possible for anyone to be so negative about Oranje tonight. I feel bad for people who are this pessimistic.