Marc Degryse thinks the Dutch have no chance: ‘Louis van Gaal thinks we all still believe in Sinterklaas’ | football world cup

As house analyst of the Belgian newspaper, Degryse is very hard on Orange. “Netherlands-Qatar: I just didn’t fall asleep, let’s say. Where has the Dutch football school gone? Where is the time of ‘Hup Holland Hup’ and the cries like ‘attack’? What I saw now was pure result football: it cannot charm or convince me.”

According to Degryse, the Orange is dependent on Cody Gakpo. ,,That is the man in shape, he brings depth, that is good, but Depay is looking for rhythm, which is normal when you have hardly played or not at all for three months. Frenkie de Jong is not bad but they make them too big, I think. The only other with international class is Van Dijk.”

Degryse thinks Van Gaal is ‘a top trainer’ but questions his conservative choices against Qatar. “He started with De Roon in midfield for balance, while he could just as well put in the more attacking Berghuis or bring in some young guys after an hour, such as Xavi Simons or Noa Lang, who can bring some fun with individual flashes. but no – he brought Janssen and Weghorst.”

“Van Gaal thinks we all still believe in Sinterklaas. He is trying to make us believe that the Netherlands can become world champions – really not. They continue without shine, without one really good match and with the necessary luck. But as soon as they hit a real football country, they leave and Louis’ balloon is popped.”

“The Netherlands will have to step up their game physically, because the US will hunt them down. The question is how long they can keep it up. And a flaw is that they don’t have a real killer in rush hour. Still, against my better judgement, I am going to support the US. Because nowadays it is more fun to watch the US than to Orange.”