S Poddar
The Netherlands suffered a devastating loss to Austria on Tuesday night, casting a shadow over their prospects as they prepare to potentially face England in the knockout stages. This defeat has placed Ronald Koeman’s position as manager under intense scrutiny.
Reflecting on his past, Koeman once celebrated a European Championship victory in Germany after a group-stage loss. However, this time around, the situation is dire. Koeman’s pre-match hope of avoiding a third-place finish in Group D was dashed as the Netherlands fell short.
Koeman expressed his concerns about facing strong teams in the next round, stating, “We knew that if we are third in the group then we will get a big nation in the next round, if it is England, if it is Spain.” The likelihood of meeting England looms large, and the pressure on Koeman has intensified. When asked about his future, he candidly responded, “If we fail, please ask me again.”
Koeman’s blunt assessment of the team’s performance was clear: “We will have to play better than today. Today, it was appalling.” His honest approach, while sometimes harsh, highlights the numerous challenges the team faces. Despite a promising start with a victory over Poland and a contentious draw with France, the Netherlands’ position is far from what they anticipated.
Austria’s victory exposed several weaknesses in the Dutch squad. The decision to start Lutsharel Geertruida at right-back backfired as Austria exploited this flank repeatedly. With more experienced options like Denzel Dumfries and Jeremie Frimpong available, Koeman’s choice was questionable.
Virgil van Dijk, usually a stalwart in defence, was not at his best. Koeman’s selection of Stefan de Vrij over other capable defenders like Matthijs de Ligt, Mickey van de Ven, and Nathan Ake, who shone in previous matches, raised eyebrows. The midfield also suffered from the absence of key players Frenkie de Jong and Teun Koopmeiners due to injuries, leaving Koeman scrambling for solutions.
In the attack, Koeman has yet to find the right combination. The indecision over the right-wing position, with players like Xavi Simons, Frimpong, and Donyell Malen rotating in and out, reflects the team’s inconsistency. Koeman might consider a shift to a 3-5-2 formation, pairing Cody Gakpo and Memphis Depay upfront, reminiscent of Louis van Gaal’s strategy.
Despite these struggles, Koeman has found a reliable substitute in Wout Weghorst, who has been effective in turning games around. However, the main strategy still poses significant challenges. For Koeman, a legendary figure in Dutch football who once triumphed in Germany, the upcoming matches are crucial. With their path to the last 16 fraught with difficulties, the Netherlands must find their rhythm quickly to avoid a complete collapse.
