Should Ajax coach Erik ten Hag respond to Manchester United’s advances? During Louis van Gaal’s press conference about the Netherlands – Germany, the national coach deviated from the beaten track this afternoon. “Manchester is a commercial club. I think Erik ten Hag is a great coach who should go to a football club.”
Van Gaal, who was himself a manager of Manchester between 2014 and 2016, did not want to go into the question much deeper. “I’m not his supervisor. Then Erik should call me himself.” In England, Van Gaal only won the FA Cup.
“That’s a smart question. I don’t want to tell those Germans the line-up”
Of course, in Zeist it was mainly about the Netherlands – Germany and the question of whether Van Gaal will continue tomorrow evening on the team that defeated Denmark 4-2 on Friday. Are all players fit? “That’s a smart question,” the national coach replied with a laugh. “I don’t want to tell the Germans the line-up. Everyone can play, but not everyone can play ninety minutes twice. Then I’m actually saying too much.”
It is certain that Van Gaal will start with a different basic formation than Friday against Denmark (4-2). And that has not only to do with the physical condition of the football players. Van Gaal: “I also want to see other players in certain situations.”
“I also want to see other players in certain situations”
The game against the Danes has been discussed by the national coach and his players. The new 1-3-4-1-2 system worked significantly less after the break than in the first 45 minutes. Captain Virgil van Dijk: “We discussed what went well and what went less well.” His preference to play 4-3-3 was not discussed. “No, we don’t have heated discussions either. I give my opinion and often we are on the same page. In the system with three central defenders, other things are requested. That takes getting used to. You have to keep the lines close together.”
Opinion
“I like players with an opinion,” added Van Gaal. I think there should be more pressure on the ball and then you have to coach each other. That should happen a lot more. The ten meter rule also needs to be improved. We should not invite Germany to deep runs. They have too much quality for that. The distance between them should therefore not be greater than ten meters and that went fantastic this morning.”
“For Germany it is also a test to see how they are doing”
Van Dijk is looking forward to the meeting with Germany that won 2-0 against Israel this weekend. “They are eight games unbeaten now. For them it is also a test to see how they are doing. The previous games we played against them were open and beautiful games. Hopefully there will be fewer goals against and we win.”
The kick-off at the Netherlands – Germany is tomorrow evening at 8.45 pm.
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