Dutch domination: Netherlands U21s put on attacking masterclass

After drawing their opening two games of the UEFA European U21 Championship against Romania and Germany respectively, Netherlands found themselves under some pressure to produce a convincing result against Hungary to secure their qualification for the knockout phase. The Dutch were scoring for fun in their qualifying group in 2019 and 2021, and they found their deadly attacking touch once more as they brushed past the Hungarians by a score-line of 6-1. This result allowed the Netherlands to finish top of their group on goal difference, earning themselves a quarter-final tie against France on May 31^st. This tactical analysis will look to cover the key attacking aspects of this Dutch U21 side, as well as a look at how they operated out of possession too.

Netherlands Line-up

The Dutch deployed a 4-1-3-2 shape, which immediately outlines their intent to play an aggressive and attacking system. From left to right, the back four consisted of Mitchel Bakker who is currently on the books of Ligue 1’s PSG, the highly-rated Sven Botman of Lille, Perr Schuurs of Eredivisie leaders Ajax, and PSV’s Jordan Teze. The sitting midfielder role was undertaken by Sparta Rotterdam’s Abdou Harroui, with captain Dani de Wit (Alkmaar) in front of him. Wide support came from Cody Gakpo (PSV) and Ferdi Kadioglu (Fenerbahçe). Justin Kluivert and Myron Boadu were the attacking duo leading the line.

Utilising the flanks

While the Netherlands did explore a variety of attacking outlets in this fixture, they showed great creativity and fluidity in their wing play. Their shape allowed the two wingers to essentially play as wide playmakers, with a mixture of players providing support in the flanks and channels.