Netherlands National Football Team Formation

Starting Lineup

VERBRUGGEN · VAN DIJK · DE LIGT · AKÉ · DUMFRIES · DE JONG · DEPAY · SIMONS · BERGWIJN · SCHOUTEN · KOOPMEINERS

The Netherlands focuses on a high press and vertical style of play using a 4-3-3. The lineup is built to win the ball back high up the pitch and attack the opposition's defensive line with speed. This formation allows the players to transition quickly and use the width of the pitch to stretch the defence.

VERBRUGGEN operates in goal to command the area and organize the defensive line. The back line functions as a back four that can step up to set the offside trap. VAN DIJK acts as a ball playing defender with great aerial strength and ability to cover space. DE LIGT works to intercept passes and provides support to the other defenders. AKÉ plays as an attacking full back who will overlap the winger to provide width. DUMFRIES acts as a wide defender who can carry the ball forward and push up the flank.

The midfield works with a single pivot and two attacking eight roles. KOOPMEINERS sits in the pivot role to shield the defense and win the second ball. DE JONG acts as a deep-lying playmaker with a wide passing range to play through the lines and find the feet of the striker. SCHOUTEN plays as an attacking eight who can drive forward with the ball and arrive late into the box. This midfield trio works to press in a mid-block and link the defensive unit to the attacking line.

The attacking unit features three players across the front. DEPAY acts as a pressing centre-forward who can drop into the hole to link up play between the lines. SIMONS operates as an inverted winger on the left who will cut inside to find goal scoring chances. BERGWIJN stays wide on the right to stretch the defence and deliver crosses. The forwards press from the front to force a long ball from the opposition. This movement creates opportunities for runs in behind and cutbacks from the byline.

This formation provides the advantage of wide overloads when AKÉ and DUMFRIES push high. The team can also achieve numerical superiority in the midfield through the positioning of the three central players. Another strength is the ability to press high in coordinated waves to win it back high up the pitch and force the opponent into mistakes.

This 4-3-3 lineup for the Netherlands relies on aggressive pressing and quick transitions to break down opponents. It is best suited for matches against teams that try to play short from the back.