MX23RW : Thursday, March 28 21:59:40| >> :600:161938:161938:

Frank De Boer confident in the Netherlands' 5-3-2 system

Frank De Boer confident in the Netherlands' 5-3-2 system
© Reuters
A plane was flown over the Dutch training camp with a banner which read: "Frank. Play 4-3-3"

Holland boss Frank De Boer is confident his preferred 5-3-2 system will serve the squad best as they prepare to open their Euro 2020 campaign against Ukraine in Amsterdam.

De Boer took over the Oranje after Ronald Koeman left for Barcelona in September 2020, with the team having qualified as runners-up to Germany in their group.

Former Inter Milan and Crystal Palace boss De Boer, who had a spell at Major League Soccer side Atlanta United following his early departure from the Selhurst Park hot seat, continues to face debate over his tactics.

With Holland having suffered a 4-2 defeat away to Turkey in their 2022 World Cup qualifier in March, De Boer has found his style under the microscope.

A plane was flown over the Dutch training camp in Zeist with a banner which read: "Frank. Play 4-3-3".

De Boer, though, remains determined to get the best out of a talented squad using his own approach.

"Of course that is not something you often experience, but it is not something that we should make very big," De Boer said at a press conference when asked about his views on the direct message.

"This is just someone who has an opinion and has shown it that way."

The Holland coach continued: "We always try to play dominant football and that's what we want with this system.

"I think 5-3-2 sounds negative, with 3-5-2 you already have fewer defenders. We want to get our hands on the game, which means your wingbacks are always quite high.

"I think with this set-up we have the best people in the right places. Players who have played great all year."

Captain Georginio Wijnaldum feels the squad are gaining confidence in the set-up.

"This is a system that not everyone has played, for some it is new," said the midfielder, who will join Paris St Germain after leaving Liverpool at the end of his contract.

"Everyone is used to playing 4-3-3, so you have your preference, but this system has been well received by the players.

"We saw in the matches what we did well and what we didn't do well and we started working on that, which gives confidence: things that went badly went better during the training sessions."

De Boer, already without key defender Virgil Van Dijk as the Liverpool player continues his recovery from a serious knee injury, confirmed Matthijs De Ligt would not be fit for the match at the Johan Cruijff ArenA because of a groin issue.

Goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg is set to start ahead of Norwich's Tim Krul.

Ukraine topped their qualifying group ahead of Euro 2016 champions Portugal.

Head coach Andriy Shevchenko knows the team have a lot of expectation to live up to.

"We do not need additional incentives. Footballers understand the importance of these games," he said. "This is a dream for us, a dream we want to realize while playing in the championship.

"We understand all the difficulties that will await us (against Holland), but we are ready for them."

ID:451136:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4708:

Click here for more stories about Frank de Boer

Click here for more stories about Netherlands

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Netherlands' Ryan Gravenberch celebrates scoring their third goal with teammates on June 6, 2021
Read Next:
Netherlands Euro 2020 preview - prediction, fixtures, squad, star player
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!