World Cup Tactics: The Netherlands | OneFootball

The Netherlands are one of those teams that often remain slightly in the background before every major tournament. When teams such as France, Germany, Brazil and Argentina are frequently touted as title contenders, almost nobody outside their country names the Netherlands as one of the main favorites.

However, in almost every tournament, they manage to eliminate at least one of those major teams and keep their supporters excited until the final stages. This consistency is built on a constantly renewed squad and a footballing identity that, in every generation, stands out through one or two defining qualities.

In this article, I have tried to analyze eight tactical characteristics of the Netherlands.

1. Gakpo Draws, Malen Runs

The Dutch have different types of wingers, and they make good use of that variety.

Cody Gakpo is a player who wants the ball to feet, looks to win his one-v-one duels, and then drives into the penalty area. Donyell Malen, on the other hand, is a player who uses his speed to attack quickly and look for  a goal in a short period of time.

When Gakpo moves closer to the player in possession, the opposition players on that side are drawn towards him. As Malen makes his run into the third zone, this defensive imbalance becomes an advantage for him.

2. Third-Man Screen

When the opponent tries to build play through the wings, the Netherlands’ winger and full-back apply man-to-man pressure on the nearby opposition players.

The midfielder, however, monitors the third player who may arrive into that yellow zone, while also holding his position in the large space between the winger and the full-back to prevent the opponent from playing through it.

There is no direct man-to-man pressure on that third opposition player. Instead, if the third Netherlands player sees that the pass is going to be, he then looks to step in and intercept.

3. Counter-Attack Box Coverage

Against counter-attacks, it is difficult for opponents to play the final pass against the Netherlands because they recover towards their own penalty area with very good spacing and balance.

After a long ball, when the attacking player approaches the box and prepares to cross, a centre-back like Virgil van Dijk positions himself in front of the opponent. The right-back monitors the player trying to enter the penalty area from the far side; if that player moves towards goal or behind the penalty spot, he follows him.

The other centre-back constantly scans his surroundings against the threat of a runner arriving through the centre. Meanwhile, the two midfielders sprint back towards the edge of the box in case the cross is delivered there and an opponent looks to shoot from the second ball.

4. Asymmetric Structure in Attack

The Netherlands employ an asymmetric structure when entering the opposition half.

Whether Nathan Aké or Mickey van de Ven plays at left-back, they position centrally between Gakpo and van Dijk.

This allows Frenkie De Jong to operate slightly more to the right in front of the defensive line. The right-back pushes higher, while the right winger moves inside next to the centre-forward, creating a front two.

The roles of the other midfielders are more flexible. At times, they make runs into the penalty area from the blind side of the centre-backs being occupied by the forwards. At other times, when the play becomes congested, they drop deeper to receive the ball and then look to play a long pass towards the right-back on the touchline or towards Gakpo.

5. Brobbey As First Contact

When Brian Brobbey plays, the Netherlands look for more long balls from the first line.

The goalkeeper plays the ball into Brobbey, and he uses his physical superiority to lay it off to a teammate positioned close to him. If the opponent does not apply immediate pressure in that moment, the receiving player can carry the ball forward himself. If pressure arrives, he plays the ball out to one of the wingers positioned near the touchline.

6. Simons Releases, Timber Carries

Quinten Timber and Xavi Simons have different roles in the build-up phase. When Simons drops in front of the defensive line, the goalkeeper plays the ball into him.

Without holding onto it, Simons immediately finds the most suitable full-back. This usually happens when the opposition wingers are positioned centrally.

If the Netherlands want to build through the wide areas, the centre-back plays the ball to the full-back, while Timber moves either higher or deeper to offer himself as a passing option. Once he receives the ball, he tries to carry it forward on his own.

7. Temporary Midfield Jump

In settled defence, they defend in a 4-4-2 formation. One of the wingers moves next to the centre-forward

The key detail here is that the centre midfielders frequently step forward, temporarily reducing the midfield line that appears to be a four and adding themselves to the first pressing line. They do this repeatedly, but only for short periods.

At that moment, the other players shift more centrally. When the midfielder drops back, they return to their original defensive structure. The main reason for this movement is to create a possible ball-winning moment and potentially launch a counter-attack.

8. Brobbey Shifts The Duel

Here’s an example of Dutch strategy after they lose possession.

After Simons wins the ball in front of his own half and carries it all the way into the opposition half, his through pass towards Brobbey is blocked and they lose possession.

However, instead of waiting between the two centre-backs, Brobbey moves to the left side of the right centre-back and waits for the pass from Simons. In low-number counter-attacks like this, that is a very effective tactical detail.

By moving to the left side, Brobbey reduces the advantage of the opposition left centre-back being present in that area and creates a more favourable receiving angle for the transition.

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