Frank de Boer behind three motivated thanks to Matthijs de Ligt’s performance against Austria
During the days leading up to the Dutch European Championship 2020 match day two against Austria, there were many questions about Frank de Boers’ decision to continue playing three at the back. Fans were not happy with that, and the players did not seem to be either.
Although the Oranje gave us the most entertaining match of the tournament so far in their opening game – a 3-2 victory against Ukraine – the disharmony in the back was there for all to see.
A 2-0 lead in the second half was thrown away just four minutes late, when Andriy Yarmolenko’s 75-minute stunning and Roman Yaremchuk’s 79th minute nodded out the tie ahead of Denzel Dumfrie’s late winner.
First of all, we should first and foremost admire the strike. But when you look deeper, the deceptive defense is obvious. Stefan de Vrij, who was in the heart of the three backs at night, clumsily pulled out of position in his attempt to press Yarmolenko, while Nathan Ake failed to fill in, thus creating an opportunity for the West Ham winger to cut in and let go. his effort – and what an effort it was.
The other was born due to lack of leadership, where Yaremchuk too easily avoided the Dutch defensive line from a solid puzzle, got the finish line from her husband and went home.
Such weak mistakes were nowhere to be seen on match day two when the Oranje brushed Austria in a comfortable 2-0 victory. De Boer held on, they still played three at the back; so what changed?
Quite simply, Matthijs De Ligt.
The Juventus man, who was previously out with a groin injury, was exactly what was missing in their previous match. During their 2-0 victory against Das Team, De Ligt was fully aware and alert for all angles, which means he could organize his back three, cover his colleagues as they progressed to push and, most importantly, keep their balance. and the stability at the back.
Unlike a first match day, when mild, unsuccessful challenges allowed Ukraine opportunities to withdraw from the game, De Ligt was a brick wall to everything that came into the box. A remarkable moment came in the first half, when Christoph Baumgartner slipped past two or three challenges and unleashed a strike against the roof of the net.
De Ligt challenges Christoph Baumgartner / Soccrates Images / Getty Images
What stopped it? De Ligts panna. And the midfielder was right back on his feet and protected the ball until Maarten Stekelenburg rushed out to grab it.
His level of focus and commitment was transferred to his colleagues all the time and, most tellingly, late in the process.
The Orange were under pressure when Franco Foda’s side looked to pull back a goal and while Ukraine found a way back on Sunday, De Ligt made sure each man did his duty – arms out to signal where the back line needed to be and vote belt out for to command those around him.
De Ligt led their defensive unit / Soccrates Images / Getty Images
He may be 21, but he is without a doubt a leader on the pitch. His dizzying calm, focus and consistent quality for 90 minutes make an XI a much better team with him included. When you compare the Netherlands’ 3-2 victory over Ukraine with their 2-0 victory over Austria on Thursday night, it is as clear as the day.
