Frank de Boer finally got his first win as Netherlands coach with a 3-1 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina. Michael Bell provides his ratings for the Netherlands stars.
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Tim Krul 6.5/10: Very keen to prove himself with Cillessen out, Krul didn’t put a foot wrong and couldn’t do anything with the goal. Will have a much busier night against Poland on Wednesday.
Denzel Dumfries 6.5/10: Going forward, Dumfries is a big weapon for Netherlands and he got two assists on the night. However, he still has issues defensively and he was beaten far too easily by Amer Gojak in the first-half which almost led to an equaliser.
Owen Wijndal 8/10: Followed up his excellent performance against Spain with another solid game against Bosnia. Solid defensively and a fine option going forward. He has formed a great partnership already with Memphis.
Stefan de Vrij 6.5/10: Will have much busier nights in an Oranje shirt, De Vrij had little issue with Armin Hodzic. A solid game but maybe slightly at fault for the Bosnia goal.
Daley Blind 6.5/10: Got a chance to prove himself in the centre of defence and had a comfortable night. Got forward to join the build-up play and looked good on the ball. May have to worry for his spot on the left with Wijndal in such good form.
Davy Klaassen 7/10: Netherlands midfield looked very balanced with Klaassen in there alongside Frenkie de Jong. Did the defensive work and helped push Oranje forward. A good solid return to the starting eleven for Klaassen
Frenkie de Jong 8/10: Excellent in the build-up and had a role in the opening two goals. So important for Netherlands when they are playing well. The engine in the midfield and had a comfortable evening against the Bosnian midfield.
Georginio Wijndalum 8/10: Pushed forward in a more attacking position and got two goals in the opening fifteen minutes. Always reliable in Oranje and he got Netherlands on their way to victory tonight. A good performance from the Liverpool man, who also avoided a yellow which would have seen him suspended for the clash against Poland.
Steven Berghuis 7/10: Got an assist for the second goal and should have had another when he set up de Jong, only for the linesman to wrongly rule it out. A good performance but he should have scored early in the second half.
Memphis Depay 8.5/10: The absolute star-man again for Netherlands. Big roles in the opening two goals and scored the third. Proved he can be just as crucial on the wing and lit the game up with some clever flicks and tricks. Was on the end of a naughty stamp in the first-half too with Bosnia unable to handle him.
Luuk de Jong 5/10: Frank de Boer seems determined to make De Jong the starting striker for Netherlands, but he is not proving his coach right. A very poor performance from the striker, who could not get involved all night. Did put the ball in the net in the first-half only for it to be ruled out wrongly. It is rather startling that De Boer left him on for 90 minutes again.
Substitutes:
Hans Hateboer 5.5/10: Came on for Dumfries just after the hour but didn’t make an impact. Not the best international period so far from the Atalanta man, who is yet to impress in Oranje.
Donny van de Beek 5.5/10: Replaced Wijnaldum on the hour, but barely got involved. Is not going to win a starting spot with performances like this. May have been replaced by Klaassen in the pecking order.
Patrick van Aanholt N/A: Had ten minutes on the pitch which is too short for a review
Quincy Promes N/A: Had ten minutes on the pitch which is too short for a review
Calvin Stengs N/A: Only got a minute at the end.
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Klassen 7/10?
C’mon your having a laugh.
Look at the Bosnia’s goal. Klaassen should of continued his run to help out De vrij who waas in front of the attacker. Have a look at his run.
As a link man when we have the ball, linking players who can actually play with the ball he is ok. Everything else, he is below national standard.
Until Oranje can get a player in the mid who can prevent that goal; and read the game with their boots, on and off the ball; then a trophy won’t be grasped.
Frenkie is perfect playing the way he is. He just needs the player inside him. And Klassen is a long way off that.
De Boer choose him because of his Ajax years. This speaks to me of a manager who is not confident enough to walk into the dressing room without such a relationship.
Klaassen selection shows the weakness of DeBoer.
Klassen and Dumfries will get ripped to shreds by a top left attack.
I wonder sometimes if everyone on these forums watch the same game or if they are watching somebody’s homemade FIFA20 match. That being said, I believe the ratings on this article are pretty spot on. Those who think that everybody on a pitch at every match moment should radiate super stardom doesn’t know a thing about teamwork. These people probably also believe that great team would consist of all the Messi’s and Ronaldo’s of the world. This would not be a team. A team is comprised of different roles and some of lesser extravagance than others. Some are leaders, some are defenders and some make space for those we have chosen as our superstars to shine brightly amongst the masses. If you look at the examples of Wijnaldum’s two goals, why was he alone and unmarked? Look at the work done around him and you can see why he made it look so easy. It’s very much like a chess match, the pawns are just as important in the build up or the defence as the bigger pieces. So before making judgement on a player who seems to go missing or seems to shine brighter remember that they are part of a whole. And with this Netherlands team and in months previous, some of them are new to the fold and have to find their place. Give them time and if they don’t, the manager will surely find an adequate replacement.