In this game the pressing was interesting.

Both Chile and Holland applied a full press, as opposed to a half press or partial press.. The difference was that within the lines, from the defensive line, to the attacking line, Chile squeezed more. The Dutch midfielders and backs constantly played under time and space pressure. Holland lifted their squeezing intensity within their full press in the second half and probably disturbed more Chilean build ups.

Holland played a 4-4-2, with a midfield diamond, but the midfield shape was often difficult to identify from TV. Schneider sat behind two strikers, but the triangle behind him often didn't assume classic shape.

Chile played a 3-4-3. Their fitness was remarkable, being able to squeeze intensively for long periods. With full pressing and intensive squeezing, I've observed over the years that most teams run out of gas just after an hour.

It was also interesting that within these field formations, Chile pushed their defensive line higher, whilst Holland's sat deeper.

In terms of possession, about half way during the first half, Holland had passed the ball 47 times to Chile's 160. Rather than play the possession game, slowly building the ball up from defence to attack, Holland seemed content to suck Chile into their defensive half.

Then if they disturbed the build up , they launched fast accelerated attacks, using the pace of Robben in particular. They seems to want to have the Chileans defending running towards their own goal.

Holland could play the rapid fire quick one and two touch passing in triangles, as they did on occasions, but generally they chose not to.

On balance of play, Chile should have got more out of the game. Van Gaal has diverged from the past KNVB mode of playing possession football.

Instead he has decided that his team's best chance of winning, is through the pace of his forwards with fast ball carrying ability. In the past, the Dutch have looked to impose themselves on other teams, dominating possession , like Spain did against Australia.

One goal was from a corner, the second from an accelerated attack. In the past many Dutch goals have come from rhythm changes and intricate attacking interplay.


Playing like this, I think Holland could struggle to go much further in the tournament. The only time they were clearly in the ascendancy in their three games, having seen all of them, was in the second half against Spain, and to a lesser extent against Australia in the second half. They've certainly had their share of luck.








Edited by Decentric: 25/6/2014 11:39:41 AM