UEFA Nations League 2018/2019 Tactical Analysis: Netherlands vs England

Club competitions are over and now we hit the summer with international games. The Women’s World Cup has just started and already taking the internet by storm; so did the Nations League. Portugal, Switzerland, Netherlands, and England topped their own groups thus advancing to the Nations League’s inaugural edition semifinals. Having said that, hosts Portugal have already booked their place in the final match with a convincing 3–1 win against Switzerland; thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo’s masterclass.

In the last 12 months, the Netherlands and England showed promising performances in the international stages. De Oranje came to this semifinal after defeating current and former World Cup champions France and Germany in their group. Meanwhile, The Three Lions continued their rising form by sending Spain and Croatia home after clinching the World Cup semifinal last year.

Both teams demonstrate their quality in this match and forced the game to be played for two hours. However, a couple of defensive errors by England allowed the Netherlands to bag two additional goals in the extra time; thus giving the final ticket to the men in orange. This tactical analysis will tell you how Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands defeated Gareth Southgate’s England in this thrilling contest.

Lineups

The Netherlands started with 4–3–3 in this game. Jasper Cillessen started between the sticks; protected by Denzel Dumfries, Virgil van Dijk, Matthijs de Ligt, and Daley Blind in front of him. Barcelona’s new player Frenkie de Jong started alongside Marten de Roon and Champions League winner Georginio Wijnaldum in the middle of the park. The trio of Steven Bergwijn, Memphis Depay, and Ryan Babel led the frontline. Names like Davy Pröpper, Kevin Strootman, and Quincy Promes were in the bench.

England also fielded 4–3–3 for this match. However, none of the players that participated in the Champions League final started the game for The Three Lions. Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was supported by Kyle Walker, John Stones, Harry Maguire, and Ben Chilwell. In the engine room, West Ham star Declan Rice was flanked by Fabian Delph and Europa League winner Ross Barkley. Upfront, Dortmund sensation Jadon Sancho was chosen to start alongside Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling. Harry Kane, Jordan Henderson, and Dele Alli had to start the game from the dugout.

Fluid shapes from both teams

In the first half, England used 4–1–4–1 when they didn’t have the ball. They put their wingers wide and high in order to prevent the ball to be played into Netherlands’ full-backs. Rice was their deepest midfielder and tasked to control the area between the lines.

The Netherlands reacted to England’s shape by shifting into 3–1–4–2 or 3–4–3. In this shape, de Jong dropped to play as an LCB while van Dijk and de Ligt shifted accordingly. Their full-backs Dumfries and Blind, then tasked to go high and provide the width; while the attackers tuck inside and positioned in between the lines. They did this in order to stretch England’s midfield block; therefore opening a passing lane to one of the midfielders in between the lines.

Dutch defence (and its issue)

The Netherlands displayed astute defensive display since the first minute. Koeman instructed his team to play a man-oriented high press to disrupt the Englishmen build-ups. When they didn’t have the ball, the Netherlands shifted into 4–2–3–1 shape and mirrored England’s midfield structure.