Unusual scene this Saturday during the last training of the Netherlands, which start the Euro Sunday against Ukraine (9 pm in Amsterdam).
A plane flew over the training ground with a banner bearing a message for coach Frank De Boer:
Frank.
Gewoon 4-3-3!
", Or"
Frank, play 4-3-3 ".
Coach of the Oranje since 2020 replacing Ronald Koeman who left for Barcelona, the former central defender of Ajax Amsterdam or Barça has chosen to go from 4-3-3 to a 3-5-2 in order to strengthen the axis defensive team.
A change of system which obviously does not please the Dutch fans who have chosen an original way to convey the message to De Boer.
"Thank you for the advice but we will stay in 3-5-2"
But in a press conference, the coach remained firm: “It's just someone who wanted to express his opinion.
Thank you for the advice, but it will stay in 3-5-2 ”he reacted.
For their return to a major international competition after missing the qualification for Euro 2016 in France and the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the Netherlands made a mixed preparation with this defense of five, much criticized. Memphis Depay's teammates were thus hooked by Scotland (2-2) before beating Georgia (3-0). They are deprived of several major players: Captain Virgil an Dijk (anterior cruciate ligament of a knee), Donny van de Beek (muscle injury), Jasper Cillessen (positive for Covid). The Valencia goalkeeper has also strongly criticized his coach: “I was his first goalkeeper when the selection for the Euro was announced. De Boer knew at the time that I had tested positive. On Sunday he said I would join the group if my test result was negative.I have no idea what has changed until the manager calls me on Tuesday. I am locked in my apartment, I have never felt so helpless, angry. "
De Boer goes on blundering
Since the start of the internship, De Boer has also made a series of blunders at a press conference, confusing players or delivering false information.
He thus assured to have made a phone call to all the players excluded at the last moment of the final list.
A version denied in a video, where we see Anwar El-Ghazi (Aston Villa) receiving a simple text message to indicate his non-selection.
Under fire from critics, De Boer is therefore already under pressure.
After Ukraine, the Netherlands will face in this group C Austria (June 17) and North Macedonia (June 21).
Opponents within their reach on paper.
