JAKARTA - Despite having won two wins, the 3-5-2 scheme criticized by Dutch fans is still being evaluated by coach Frank de Boer because a stronger opponent awaits in the knockout phase.
The Netherlands will face the best third-placed Group D or E or F. This means, the Netherlands could face Portugal, France or Germany if one of the three Group F contestants is forced to go to the knockout phase with the title of best third place.
De Boer has vowed to remain loyal to a 3-5-2 that deviates from the usual 4-3-3 system used by Orange. But the thought of facing big tactical big teams, including Spain if they also had to qualify for the knockout stages as the best third place, had disturbed de Boer's mind.
The Netherlands beat Ukraine and Austria, which on paper are tougher than their potential opponents in the final Group C match, North Macedonia. But both of his opponents are still mediocre compared to the European giants who may be against the Netherlands in the last 16.
But if de Boer sticks with his format, then he must save energy to face tougher opponents so that the squad optimally fights to prove his gridiron postulates are indeed suitable for Orange who has missed two major tournaments before Euro 2020.
Therefore there is a temptation to rest a number of key players. What is certain is that it was not Matthijs Ligt who actually made the Dutch defense more solid, strengthening the 3-5-2 formation.
But it could be de Boer switch tactics to return to 4-3-3. This change tempts Orange when conditions are safe because they already have their tickets to the knockout stages, especially what is hosted at the Johan Cruyff Arena, Monday night at 23.00 WIB, North Macedonia is the weakest in this group.
Nevertheless North Macedonia never lower themselves against other teams who are more experienced. They don't want to survive by piling up players at the back, not to mention later against the Netherlands.
They want that even if they are knocked out of Euro 2020, the method must be proud and order an attractive approach to football.
The North Macedonian debutants will again be fighting it out as openly as before, moreover there is nothing to bet after it is certain that they cannot make it to the last 16 phase even if they can beat the Netherlands.
Coach Igor Angelovski himself was able to lower Aleksandar Trajkovski who performed brilliantly against Ukraine.
"I actually wish we had started the game against the Netherlands like we did against Ukraine in the second half," Trajkovski said. "We have no burden."
Perhaps because they faced an opponent who was carefree and wanted to leave the tournament with their heads held high, the Dutch had the opportunity to experiment because an opponent who promised to play loose could make the Dutch system more tested.
For that, de Boer is not impossible to use again four defenders in a 4-3-3 formation. "I'm definitely considering fielding three strikers against North Macedonia," said de Boer.
But de Boer must remember that drastically changing the tactics of play and even the composition of the team can make Orange lose momentum.
"I want to keep playing," said centre-back Daley Blind. "I think everyone thinks so. We also want to beat North Macedonia because it will be good for confidence and spirit in the squad."
Statistics
The Netherlands won 3-2 over Ukraine and 2-0 against Austria, while North Macedonia lost 1-3 against Austria and 1-2 to Ukraine. Netherlands 6 points and qualify for the last 16, North Macedonia zero points and eliminated.
The two teams have met four times, all of which occurred in World Cup qualifiers where Goran Pandev played in these four matches.
This is North Macedonia's first major tournament finals after qualifying for the Nations League playoffs.
North Macedonia is the 35th country to qualify for the Euro finals.
The Netherlands have made nine appearances in the Euro finals, failing to qualify in 2016 and 1984.
The Netherlands won Euro 1988 and finished third at Euro 1976 and reached the semi-finals in 1992, 2000 and 2004. Last entered the finals in 2008 until the quarter-finals.
It is the first time the Netherlands have entered the finals of a major tournament since finishing third at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
The win over Ukraine made the Dutch record in Amsterdam to 58 wins, 26 draws, 34 losses. At the Johan Cruijff Arena they have won 41 times, drawn 19, lost 14.
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