Ronald Koeman has explained the five changes in the preparation of the Dutch national team for the World Cup qualifying match with Lithuania. The choice lover explains, among other things, the passing of Xavi Simons and Ryan Gravenberch.
According to Koeman, he gives ‘no message’ with his choices. “We have done this more often. From Finland to Malta we did it too. But not all switches are based on that,” the choice lender is probably in conversation with the NOS on saving players. “Of course there are also points that are a bit more tactical.”
In this way, Malen is preferred over Simons on the right flank. “Malen plays a bit more on the side on the right,” the national coach explains. “And with the interpretation of midfield, because we need more people for the goal. Those are, in a general sense, the points.”
Schouten above Gravenberch
Jerdy Schouten plays in Kaunas as an inspector, with Quinten Timber and Tijjani Reijnders as dynamic midfielders for him. “We want two midfielders who are going to play much more towards Memphis. Then I think Schouten is a very good player as a controlling and suitable man.”
It means that Gravenberch is sitting on the couch. “That is also possible, because he often plays at Liverpool as the most controlling man. But I think Jerdy is much more a passer. Ryan naturally also has the gear to the ball forward. Those are choices you make.” Also for a role as a box-to-box player the choice does not fall on the ex-Ajax player “he can do that too, but it is miserable that it is always about guys who do not participate and not about guys playing,” Koeman complains.
Koeman explains Timber’s choice
For example, the national coach examines Timber’s basic place. “That is really a midfielder who is strong forward, who is aggressive. I think we can use that very well.” After all, the Orange failed to press against Poland and force a second goal. “You can play a competition, but you can also continue to prick. We did not do that enough.”
Koeman understands that not all players will be happy with his choices. “I don’t have the wisdom in lease that everyone thinks everyone understands. Players will be disappointed. But we are with the Dutch national team. We have 25, now 24, good players. We make a number of other choices. We’re going to look.”
