ANPWout Weghorst at the training of the Dutch team
NOS Voetbal•vandaag, 08:09
Which striker does the Dutch need against Hungary? “One that hits them in,” is the witty answer from national coach Ronald Koeman. He thus opens the door for Wout Weghorst.
Of course, Koeman would have liked to have an undisputed number one as attack leader. Preferably someone with the future ahead of them. 22-year-old Brian Brobbey or 23-year-old Joshua Zirkzee.
With the 32-year-old Weghorst as an ideal substitute, the role in which he was so important in the last World Cup and European Championship.
Netherlands-Hungary at NOS
The Nations League match between the Netherlands and Hungary (8:45 p.m.) can be seen live tonight on NPO1, NOS.nl, the NOS app and the NOS Live app. The preview starts at 8:27 PM. With a win, the Dutch team is assured of second place and thus through to the quarter-finals.
The match can also be followed live NOS Along the Line on NPO Radio 1. There is also a live blog on NOS.nl and in the app. In addition, the competition can be followed with audio description via NPO 1 Extra.
But it is not without reason that the trainer had to come back to that. The talented strikers are not exactly in great shape at their clubs. And with the return of Weghorst, who was given time to focus on his fitness during the previous international match, Koeman has a new choice.
More than a substitute
With a convincing ‘yes’, the national coach clearly indicated that he has Weghorst at the same level in the pecking order as Zirkzee and Brobbey. And Koeman said that he does not only see Weghorst as pinchhitter. “You’re also doing Wout a disservice with that.”
ANPWout Weghorst after his goal against Poland at the European Championship
And so everything is open again in the rush hour battle. As long as no one really stands out with performances at their club, it will remain that way. It is also no coincidence that Koeman has not yet dropped Memphis Depay.
“If he continues like this at Corinthians, he will be back in the picture for the international matches in March,” Koeman said about the 30-year-old Depay, the undisputed striker of the Dutch national team for years and still the player with whom he has the most contact.
Compare with goalkeeper battle
The situation is strongly reminiscent of the vacancy for the first goalkeeper in the Dutch team, where it was a matter of exchanging pennies for a while. Due to injuries of some, loss of form of others, but mainly because not one was clearly the very best.
Ultimately, Bart Verbruggen took up the challenge. A boy, 22 years old and goalkeeper for Brighton & Hove Albion, for the future. The choice provided peace after a long period of uncertainty under the bar.
Verbruggen and Oranje remain calm under criticism: ‘We know how good we are’
It is understandable that Koeman is still considering the striker position. Since last month’s disappointing international matches, in which Zirkzee started against Hungary (1-1) and Brobbey started against Germany (1-0 loss), Brobbey has scored one goal at Ajax.
Still one more than Zirkzee at Manchester United. Weghorst scored three at Ajax in that period.
‘What needs to be corrected’
Koeman wants to see a reaction from the player group against Hungary. It has to be better than in Budapest, where the Dutch team was too slow and sloppy in possession of the ball to make it difficult for the stiff Hungarians.
“We really have to put something right. That feeling exists in the group,” said Koeman, who expects a very defensive Hungary in Amsterdam. It is up to Oranje to make the spaces as large as possible. If they win, the Netherlands will be assured of the quarter-finals of the Nations League.
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Koeman thinks he needs real wingers on the flanks for this. On the left it will, as always, be Cody Gakpo. On the right, this will not be a midfielder à la Xavi Simons, who is now injured, but a real attacker.
The Dutch team is not very big on (right) wingers. Donyell Malen seems to be the right man, but is unable to convince as a basic player in the Dutch team. Justin Kluivert could, but plays as an attacking midfielder at his club Bournemouth.
Impressed by Lang
Noa Lang can also attack on the right, although like Gakpo he prefers the left side.
ANP Friends Noa Lang and Justin Kluivert are having fun at the training of the Dutch national team
The PSV player played his last international match more than a year ago. With the hip-hop song ‘Damage’ he is currently in the top 40 together with Ronnie Flex. “That is a distraction for him and if he feels comfortable with it, he should continue with it,” Koeman judged.
“I look at what’s happening on the field. Whether his song is at number one or thirty, it doesn’t matter to me. I am impressed with Noa on the field. He is a great boy in the group and is Fortunately, he is fit again, because he is a player with extra quality.”
Weghorst’s Comeback: Dutch Striker Talks and Training Antics
Gather ’round, folks! Ronald Koeman has thrown open the door to potential striker madness as the Dutch team prepares for their encounter with Hungary. What’s that clever quip from our national coach? “One that hits them in.” Brilliant! It’s about time someone said it. But who’s this hitting their chance as an option? Enter Wout Weghorst, our not-so-secret weapon.
Striker Showdown
Now, ideally, Koeman would love a headline act leading the attack, someone fresh, like 22-year-old Brian Brobbey or 23-year-old Joshua Zirkzee. But what happens when the youngsters aren’t stepping up? Well, you dig up the 32-year-old Weghorst and hope he can still hit the target—literally and figuratively! With a solid track record at the last World Cup and European Championship, Wout is like that trusty old toolbox in the shed: not the newest model, but you know it’ll do the job when it counts.
The Dilemma of Dutch Strikers
As Koeman has been contemplating his attacking line-up, it appears we might be witnessing a classic striker dilemma akin to that of selecting a goalkeeper in the Netherlands. Will they exchange strikers like they did keepers, or will someone finally break the mould?
Perhaps that someone might actually be Weghorst, who Koeman insists is not just a “pinch-hitter.” If the coach believes Weghorst should be in the mix on the same level as Brobbey and Zirkzee, then why not? After all, when your fresh talent is misfiring like an old car running on fumes, bring in the one who can at least find the engine!
Chasing Glory in the Nations League
The stakes are high with the upcoming match against Hungary. Being played at Amsterdam’s Johan Cruyff Arena, a win would assure our Dutch lads a place in the quarter-finals. Yes, they’ve had a few slip-ups lately, and if Koeman’s squad can’t redefine their attack in time, we may just find ourselves scowling at the television, channelling our inner Dutch disappointment.
Injuries and Replacement Blues
Thank the football gods for Weghorst’s return! The young hopefuls haven’t exactly been lighting up their respective clubs, with Brobbey scoring one at Ajax and Zirkzee? Well, let’s just say he’s been busier being a bench-warmer than a goal-scorer at Manchester United. Meanwhile, Weghorst has managed to score three goals—a stat that looks particularly appetizing for Koeman.
Motivation for Improvement
But Koeman isn’t here just to analyze numbers; he’s demanding a performance. “It must be better than in Budapest,” he says, calling for a response from the whole team. The Dutch squad must locate their mojo, and frankly, we could use a little entertainment after watching them struggle with the ball like toddlers learning to walk.
The Importance of Flank Play
And have we mentioned the wingers? Koeman believes we need them—real wingers, not midfielders masquerading as forwards. Cody Gakpo is a given on the left, but who will take the right flank? There’s a shortage of convincing right wingers in the Netherlands. Donyell Malen is vying for the role but hasn’t quite convinced Koeman yet. It’s like trying to find a good coffee shop in England—good luck with that!
Noa Lang: The Rise of the Unexpected Hero
Now, let us not forget about the exciting prospect of Noa Lang. Currently busy juggling his football career with a rising hip-hop single—because why not?—he seems to be back in the coach’s good books with his on-field performances. “Whether his song is at number one or thirty, it doesn’t matter to me,” says Koeman, and honestly, that’s the first solid parenting advice I’ve heard coming from a football coach!
Final Thoughts
So here we are, with Koeman trying to weave together all the pieces of his Dutch puzzle. Can Weghorst find the net? Will the youngsters finally show up? If nothing else, there’s promise in the unpredictability of football. Who knows, we might even walk away from that match with smiles instead of scowls. But no pressure, lads. Just a casual night of football to secure our place in the Nations League quarter-finals.
Let’s go, Oranje!
Dutch national team coach Ronald Koeman has humorously emphasized the need for a striker who can deliver goals in their crucial upcoming Nations League match against Hungary, ultimately opening the door for Wout Weghorst’s inclusion in the squad.
The much-anticipated Nations League fixture between the Netherlands and Hungary will kick off at 8:45 p.m. tonight, with coverage available live on NPO1, NOS.nl, the NOS app, and the NOS Live app. Fans can tune in for the preview starting at 8:27 PM. A victory for the Dutch side will guarantee them a spot in the quarter-finals.
Due to the current form of some players, Koeman has revisited his strike options, and with Weghorst’s recent return to fitness, he is presented as a viable option alongside younger talents Brian Brobbey and Joshua Zirkzee. Koeman has confirmed that he regards Weghorst at the same competitive level as the other young strikers.
The Dutchman said he recognizes Weghorst’s potential beyond that of a mere substitute, stating that labeling him as just a “pinch-hitter” would be an injustice to the player’s contributions. This indicates a shift in perception, bringing Weghorst back into the limelight as a serious contender for leading the line against Hungary.
With the disappointing performances in the previous international matches, the urgency for improvement is evident. Koeman is seeking a decisive response from his players to correct a lackluster display that previously saw the team struggle against a disciplined Hungarian side.
Koeman has expressed his desire for effective wingers to enhance their offensive gameplay, with plans to utilize Cody Gakpo on the left and potentially seek a more specialized winger for the right flank instead of attempting to adapt midfielders into that role.
The current situation surrounding the right flank is concerning for the Dutch squad, with Donyell Malen lacking impact as a starter and Justin Kluivert’s club role limiting his availability for the national setup. Nevertheless, Koeman remains optimistic about adding depth and quality to his attacking options.
Noa Lang emerges as a potential right-side forward, although he too prefers playing on the left like Gakpo. Lang’s recent performances have caught Koeman’s eye, especially as the PSV standout has maintained a place in the cultural zeitgeist while striving to regain his international form.
Even though Lang has been busy with his music career, his focus on football remains undeterred, as Koeman commended his on-field capabilities and the positive spirit he brings to the squad. “He is a player with extra quality,” Koeman added, underscoring Lang’s importance within the team dynamics.
What impact can Weghorst’s aerial threat have on the Dutch team’s attacking strategy in the upcoming match?
Dicates Koeman’s confidence in Weghorst’s ability to impact the game positively.
Furthermore, Koeman’s strategy for the match focuses on exploiting the width of the pitch, with Gakpo expected to anchor the left flank while the right side remains a question mark. Weghorst’s presence may also add to the team’s aerial threat, which could be crucial against a traditionally defensive Hungarian side.
Fans and analysts alike are keen to see how Koeman will assemble his attacking line, especially with the stakes high for progression in the Nations League. The Dutch team has faced criticism for their recent performances, and Koeman’s call for improvement resonates widely among supporters hoping for a turnaround.
With the match approaching, anticipation is building for a revitalized and attacking display from the Dutch side, aiming not only for victory but also a return to the fluid and dynamic play they are known for. The inclusion of players like Weghorst and Lang could prove pivotal in reigniting the team’s fire as they seek to secure their spot in the next round of competition. Let’s hope for a thrilling encounter against Hungary tonight, one that lives up to the potential of this talented Dutch squad.
Let’s show Hungary what we’ve got, Oranje!