World Cup 2022

[Horatio]

I will share thoughts later as I the only 2 games of the Netherlands I watched this year were the ones against Denmark and Norway. Handful of players I don't watch in their respectful league. Louis opts to play with a 1-3-4-1-2-system which is heavily inspired by Chelsea's 1-3-4-2-1. I think Van Gaal wants Berghuis in a very playmaking role playing a bit behind other attackers. Yes NL will plan to play possession(as old as history) as even players that are shite at the role they should be good at are at least strong on ball and passing(Blind, our weakness in back three if moves too much forward as too slow to catch up to attacking player). I just hope Wijnaldum has been found out by Van Gaal. I think so. He also not making minutes at PSG.

Only thing I do know is that Argentina will never aim to play on counter and have quality to dominate game against Netherlands. I think it's a pride thing as well. Argentina will have an edge with physicality and character.

I think Rassvet is right on that bad matchup but not in the way he describes. Argentina combines pretty good as well. Match progress will be more as you described.
NL will do more defending as we will also lack a bit of pace. Per speed demons we have Dumfries(rb) Gakpo and Malen and Bergwijn (attackers).

 

[serghei]

Think it'll be the other way around with a midfield of De Paul, Paredes and Lo Celso with Messi dropping deep controlling most of the possession while the Netherlands counters (FDJ is definitely not a controller).

Imo, Netherlands best strength is obviously their defense and Depay and Malen do best when they have space in front of them from what I've seen of them so far.

[MENTION=20218]Horatio[/MENTION] maybe you can add in your thoughts as you seen the Netherland NT more times than I did.

Bergwijn is their only attacking player that seems to be able to cope with pressure. The guy could become a top-class player soon. Nederlands defense is just average. Van Dijk alone isn't going to cut it. Especially in NT football where the cohesion and chemistry is not the same.

The way I see it, Nederlands would do fine if they were a club team that could work on their issues on a week-by-week basis. As a NT, with limited time together, they just won't be able to get it working for the World Cup.

 

[Temptation]

Bergwijn is their only attacking player that seems to be able to cope with pressure. The guy could become a top-class player soon. Nederlands defense is just average.

I watched every single minute of him at Tottenham. He's been such a dud.

 

[serghei]

I favor Argentina a lot vs Nederlands. Argentina will suffer against a technical side that can break them on possession, but Nederlands is just not that side as it's made out.

 

[Horatio]

Nederlands defense is just average. Van Dijk.

Defense far from just Van Dijk. But Blind is awful once he needs to run to defend and Ake is not that great. Unfortunately either Blind or Ake will play because Van Dijk, De Vrij and De Ligt are all three right-footed.

 

[Horatio]

I favor Argentina a lot vs Nederlands. Argentina will suffer against a technical side that can break them on possession, but Nederlands is just not that side as it's made out.

Argentina are favourites yes. Also think they will win battle of midfield with collective pressuring. No counter play.

 

[serghei]

Defense far from just Van Dijk. But Blind is awful once he needs to run to defend and Ake is not that great.

On paper, the names should play better than they are. But they don't seem to be very balanced. They almost seem to me like the NT version of United. Squad looks good but the players don't match well with each other. It's almost like a mix of too many different styles.

Van Gaal has a tough job ahead IMO getting a gelled team out of that squad that doesn't look overly individualistic and disjointed. Argentina seems to have found that bit of team spirit that they also got in 2014, ability to suffer and grind out and come out on top, almost Atletico-like. They look like Simeone is coaching them from abroad.

I wouldn't be surprised if Nederlands and Argentina meet to be United vs Atletico on NT level.

 

[Horatio]

On paper, the names should play better than they are. But they don't seem to be very balanced. They almost seem to me like the NT version of United. Squad looks good but the players don't match well with each other. It's almost like a mix of too many different styles.

Van Gaal has a tough job ahead IMO getting a gelled team out of that squad that doesn't look overly individualistic and disjointed.

Okay your bring up a fair point. I think Van Gaal will find a way to deal with it. I am just worried about the level of some players. We miss quality on positions to face good sides. Gotta be effective with the chances we get.

 

[serghei]

Okay your bring up a fair point. I think Van Gaal will find a way to deal with it. I am just worried about the level of some players. We miss quality on positions to face good sides. Gotta be effective with the chances we get.

Yeah, but Malen and Depay look to be more like players to trash a "C" side 5-0, than to do be clinical vs an "A" tier opponent and grab a hard-fought 1-0 or 2-1 win.

But I do rate Van Gaal as a NT manager. Could surprise people. Would surely need a RVP though...

 

[Joan]

Hope van Gaal does well.

But I don't expect much.

 

[Horatio]

Back in 2014 Dutch people thought we would not make it past groupstage. we ended up in half final vs Argentina. But back then we had Robben Van Persie and Sneijder.

 

[serghei]

I think Spain have a great great chance at this World Cup. And also France will be there just by sheer quality of players. France, Spain, Germany, England, Argentina is top 5 for me. Brazil is close to the mix as well.

Would love a surprise winner but don't see it at a World Cup. Stakes are too big and every top-class player knows this is not the place to fuck around.

 

[Joan]

I think Spain have a great great chance at this World Cup. And also France will be there just by sheer quality of players.

Don't expect Spain to deliver even though they have great potential and play like a team. Like there's something missing.

France is the obvious one.

 

[Horatio]

I think Spain have a great great chance at this World Cup. And also France will be there just by sheer quality of players. France, Spain, Germany, England, Argentina is top 5 for me. Brazil is close to the mix as well.

Germany is starting to cook. Might have to put them higher. My fav are France after Spain after Argentina/Germany. England I don't trust.

 

[serghei]

Germany is starting to cook. Might have to put them higher. My fav are France after Spain after Argentina/Germany. England I don't trust.

I might be overrating England for sure.