England manager Gareth Southgate spoke to Dutch media in his press conference ahead of Friday’s match in Amsterdam.
- By James Rowe
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England are Koeman’s first opponents since he took charge of the Netherlands national team.
Southgate said on Netherlands and Koeman, ”We do not know too much in terms of what Ronald Koeman will do. We know the recent history of the Dutch national team and that a lot of their senior players have retired.
”The Dutch national team is young and they are in a very similar situation to ourselves. Ronald Koeman will have his own style and I know him well from his time in England. He was very helpful to me during my visits to Southampton FC and Everton FC.
”It will take him time to get his tactical ideas across to his players but he and his players will be fully motivated for the match tomorrow.
”No formation is old fashioned. Liverpool FC and Manchester City currently have great success in England playing 4-3-3. Everybody plays the formation depending on the players that they have available.
”You have to be tactically flexible in the modern game. The Dutch have a slight obsession with 4-3-3 formation and there is no question that it is a great way for your players to learn the game.
”I believe that you will see tactically variety in the way in which Ronald Koeman approaches Dutch national team games.
”I am certain that the Netherlands will be well organized under Ronald Koeman and that he will encourage his players to play with style. He had a great personality on the pitch as a player and he will expect his players to show the same personality on the pitch.”
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