Netherlands National Football Team Formation

Starting Lineup

Verbruggen · van Dijk · van de Ven · de Ligt · Maatsen · Frimpong · Veerman · Schouten · Depay · Malen · Simons

Netherlands seeks to play with a high press and a vertical identity. This lineup utilizes a 3-4-3 formation to control games through heavy pressure and wide overloads. The intent is to win the ball high up the pitch and quickly attack the spaces behind the opposition defense.

Verbruggen starts the build up by playing short from the back. The defensive unit functions as a back three with van de Ven, van Dijk, and de Ligt. van Dijk uses his aerial strength and positional sense to command the area and win headers. de Ligt provides physical presence in the middle, while van de Ven uses his speed to cover space and step up to intercept the ball. This unit holds a high line to squeeze the space and prevent the opponent from turning.

The midfield consists of a double pivot with Schouten and Veerman. Schouten acts as the shield for the back three, working to win the second ball and protect the center. Veerman connects the lines by playing through the lines and finding the attackers with his passing. Maatsen and Frimpong act as wing backs to provide essential width. Maatsen can overlap the winger to cross, while Frimpong carries the ball forward with pace to drive into the half spaces. This midfield group links the defense and attack by finding the players in the final third.

Up front, Depay acts as a pressing centre-forward to pin the last defender and create space. Malen and Simons operate as wide attackers, with Malen looking to cut inside and Simons using his dribbling to beat his marker. They work in close combinations to break the lines. The attack is designed to create runs in behind and allow Depay to drop deep and find the feet of the midfielders. This lineup creates constant movement in the final third.

The Netherlands squad gains a tactical advantage through wide overloads when Frimpong and Maatsen push high to support the wingers. The team can also press in coordinated waves, using the front three to trigger a press. This allows them to win the ball back high up the pitch and strike quickly.

The 3-4-3 formation relies on intense pressing and wide players to stretch the opposition. It is most effective against teams that play a high defensive line or struggle to track runners in the half spaces.