Netherlands National Football Team Formation

Starting Lineup

Maatsen · de Ligt · van de Ven · van Dijk · Gravenberch · de Jong · Koopmeiners · Depay · Simons · Verbruggen · Frimpong

The Netherlands play a high press and vertical style within a 3-4-3 formation. This lineup seeks to win the ball high up the pitch and move through the thirds with speed. The team aims to use the width provided by the wingers and wide midfielders to stretch the defence and create space in the middle.

Verbruggen acts as the goalkeeper to play short from the back. The defensive unit works in a back three. van de Ven plays as the left centre-back and uses his pace to cover the space behind a high line. In the middle, van Dijk uses his aerial strength to win the header and organize the line. de Ligt plays as the right centre-back to provide strength and help play out from the back. This unit stays compact to defend zonally and prevent runners from finding space.

The midfield works with a double pivot of de Jong and Gravenberch to control the tempo. de Jong is known to receive on the half-turn and carry the ball forward to break the line. Gravenberch works to win the second ball and connects the defensive and attacking lines. Maatsen and Frimpong play as wide midfielders. Maatsen will overlap the winger to provide width. Frimpong uses his speed to get to the byline and deliver early crosses to the box.

In the attacking third, the Netherlands use three attackers across the front. Depay acts as the central striker to hold up the ball and link play. Koopmeiners plays on the left as an inverted winger who likes to cut inside to attack the near post. Simons operates on the right to isolate a one-on-one wide. This front line will press from the front to force a long ball from the opposition.

This 3-4-3 formation offers specific tactical advantages. The presence of van de Ven and van Dijk allows the team to squeeze the space and play a high line with confidence. The wide midfielders, Maatsen and Frimpong, create wide overloads when they push up to overlap the wingers. Additionally, the central pairing of de Jong and Gravenberch allows for numerical superiority in midfield to win the second ball and control the game.

The Netherlands utilize this lineup to maintain a high press and strike with speed. It is a formation best suited for playing against teams that struggle to build in triangles or play through the lines under pressure.