THE BIG MATCH
HOLLAND VS FRANCE
Friday evening's encounter between the Netherlands and France is fascinatingly poised. A Dutch victory would seal their place in the knockout stages and put France under severe pressure.
The Future's Bright, The Future's Oranje
It was a case of 'brilliant Oranje' for the Dutch on Monday as a breathtaking display of counter-attacking football proved far too much for a beleaguered Italian side to handle.
Victory in their tournament opener gives the Netherlands a superb chance of progressing from the 'Group of Death'. Victory over the French on Friday evening would ensure progression and really lay down a message of intent to the other big nations.
Head coach Marco Van Basten, who departs to take over Ajax after the tournament, will be acutely aware that it is not how the Dutch start the tournament but how they finish.
Although Monday's 3-0 victory appears emphatic the margins were fine. After Ruud van Nistlerooy's highly controversial opening goal the Dutch scored their second and third goals from swift counters moments after the Italians had posed a serious threat at the opposite end of the field.
Van Basten remains coy regarding his side's chances telling the assembled press after Tuesday's victory that, “We have won just one game. It is only the first step.”
Still it takes a special side to beat the Italians by a three goal margin. This was the first time in quarter of a century that the Azzurri had been beaten by such a score.
Van Basten understatedly said, “It shows that we have a good team with quality and I'm proud of this.” Formerly a Dutch international of distinction himself Van Basten said that his side could do “great things” in the tournament.
Once again Vas Basten will look to a deadly attacking quartet to slice open the French defence. Van Nistlerooy is a prolific scorer both at club and international level. His poached goal against Italy was a typical predatory effort from the Real Madrid striker. Supporting him will be Rafael Van Der Vaart, Dirk Kuyt and club-mate Wesley Sneijder.
If this unit can perform as impressive against France as they did against Italy than the Dutch can be extremely confident of victory.
Raymond Domenech: Feeling Les Bleus
France's head coach, Raymond Domenech, finds it difficult to stay out of the papers for the wrong reasons. Even when the French side are going well few pundits have too many complimentary words to say about the former Lyon boss but after catastrophes such as Monday's scoreless draw with Romania there are no shortage of critics.
Les Bleus' tepid draw with the Romanians resonated loudly around Europe. German tabloid newspaper Bild declared Domenech an “idiot” while the French media were highly critical of his tactics without ever being quite so cutting.
A lack of attacking flair was sighted as France's problem. Missing Patrick Vieira in midfield there was no-one from the centre of park prepared to push forward and get past the strikers. This situation was not helped by a poor showing from Florent Malouda on the left while Ribéry on the right was often crowded out.
The balance of France's midfield was all wrong against Romania; it was much too defensive. The Netherlands will pose a very different threat to France than the Romanians and so Domenech can probably afford to start with the defensive pair of Makélélé and Toulalan at the heart of his side.
If no changes are made to the starting eleven of Domenech's side it will be a major surprise. Casualties are likely to include Nicolas Anelka, Malouda and Willy Sagnol.
Elsewhere other options must be examined. Thierry Henry, who has returned to training after a back problem, will likely start in attack alongside Karim Benzema while the widemen may also be subject to change.
Ribéry has already stated that he prefers to play on the left, his club position with Bayern Munich, yet he started on the right against Romania. It would be no surprise to see the ineffective Malouda dropped to the bench on Friday to be replaced by Marseille's Samir Nasri. The future Arsenal player would play on the right thus releasing Ribéry to play in his favoured role.
Patrice Evra and François Clerc both come into contention after uninspiring showings by incumbent full-backs Sagnol and Abidal.
Certainly something has to change if France are to hope to beat a slick looking Dutch outfit.
FORM GUIDE
Netherlands
06/02/08 - Croatia 0-3 Netherlands (Friendly)
26/03/08 - Austria 3-4 Netherlands (Friendly)
24/05/08 - Netherlands 3-0 Ukraine (Friendly)
29/05/08 - Netherland 1-1 Denmark (Friendly)
01/06/08 - Netherlands 2-0 Wales (Friendly)
09/06/08 - Netherlands 3-0 Italy (Euro2008, Group Stage)
France
06/02/08 - Spain 1-0 France (Friendly)
26/03/08 - France 1-0 England (Friendly)
27/05/08 - France 2-0 Ecuador (Friendly)
31/05/08 - France 0-0 Paraguay (Friendly)
03/06/08 - France 1-0 Colombia (Friendly)
09/06/08 - France 0-0 Romania (Euro2008, Group Stage)
TEAM NEWS
Netherlands
Marco Van Basten was without a plethora of attacking talent for the Dutch side's opening game of the tournament and will face France with a depleted squad.
Ryan Babble (ankle ligaments) and Clarence Seedorf (personal reasons) are, of course, unavailable but Van Basten's squad is otherwise returning towards fitness. Robin Van Persie was fit enough to play a cameo role against Italy while Melchiot is also expected to be strong enough to play a part if required.
There is only one Dutch doubt and that comes in the form of Arjen Robben. The Real Madrid winger is closing in on fitness and could be used to play a part from the bench.
Predicted Starting Eleven: Van der Sar; Van Bronckhorst, Boulahrouz, Ooijer, Mathijsen; de Jong, Engelaar, van der Vaart, Sneijder, Kuyt; Van Nistlerooy
France
Like the Dutch les Bleus were adversely affected by injury for their tournament opener however unlike Friday's opponents France could not cope. Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira were conspicuous by their absence against Romania and both will likely play a part if deemed fit enough. Henry should certainly return to the starting eleven however there are greater doubts over the fitness of Vieira.
Raymond Domenech will likely make a handful of changes to the side that claimed a feeble point against Romania.
Predicted Starting Eleven: Coupet; Clerc, Abidal, Gallas, Thuram; Toulalan, Nasri, Makélélé, Ribéry; Henry, Benzema
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Netherlands
After a stellar opening performance the Netherlands will expect great things once again from Wesley Sneijder however it will be Ruud Van Nistlerooy who will provide the cutting edge to the Dutch attack.
The Real Madrid striker has scored in 4 consecutive group matches in the finals of the European Championship and will aim to extend that record with another goal against France.
A goal poacher extraordinaire Van Nistlerooy is the man most likely to end France's run of 5 international fixtures without losing a goal.
France
Devoid of real attacking flair against Romania the French will look to Barcelona forward Thierry Henry to reignite their Euro2008 challenge.
A back injury may be hampering the forward a little however he is the man who can provide the touch of magic to break the Netherlands' resistance.
Henry has scored 44 international goals in 100 matches, which is a remarkable return, however he has not yet registered against the Netherlands. Friday is an ideal opportunity to break his duck.
PREDICTION
If France adopt the defensive approach that they played against Romania they may well have a greater chance of taking something from the game than if they attack the Netherlands. Marco Van Basten's men have already showcased their devastating counter-attacking potential and have the pace in attack to pick-off a sluggish French defence. Unless Domenech backs his side to beat Italy in a final game shoot-out he will have to push players forward at some point, potentially spelling disaster.
Netherlands 2-0 France
My key players to watch!
- Benzema & Nasri (they got some points to prove)
- Henry (should i say more...?)
- Ribery (Did not play to well in the first game, should improve!)
- Van der sar (a big performance needed from him)
. referee cheated us.
