With the Euros soon approaching, the recent Netherlands national team’s results and play aren’t too good. The Oranje Leeuwinnen lost 4-0 to Germany and drew 1-1 to the (on paper) much weaker Scotland, earning the latter team their first point in this Nations League campaign on the final group stage match day. The Scots were even close to winning the game, after a couple of late Daphne van Domselaar saves denied them the win.
What’s going on and what can we learn from these results going into the Euros?
The players left the pitch frustrated. Andries Jonker, usually quite calm, got visibly more and more annoyed during the second half of the Netherlands vs Scotland match. After almost every loss of possession he slapped his knees with frustration. Jonker even said after the game that he was ‘pissed’ at the players for losing the ball so often. A lot of chances for the opponents during this Nations League window came after loss of possession by the Dutch and a subsequent counter attack. Unfortunately, there are no statistics available for pass completion rate for the Women’s Nations League, but it probably would not have been too high against both Scotland and Germany.
The frequent loss of possession is probably due to the many changes in the Oranje Leeuwinnen team lately. Changes were made constantly not just personnel wise, but also system wise. This makes it more difficult for players to know where the other players are positionally, leading to a lot of misplaced passes. Jonker’s team recently played in 3-5-2, 4-3-3 and 4-4-2. One of more important players were missing during each international window. These players were either injured or rested. This window alone, Vivianne Miedema and Lineth Beerensteyn, two first choice attackers, were only training with the team, and Danielle van de Donk, another first choice player, was bound to limited minutes due to fitness issues. These are not exactly things Jonker or the players have a lot of influence on.
However, Jonker can be blamed for the fact that he also made quite a few changes within the options he did have. He made five changes in the starting XI against Scotland, as compared to the starting XI against Germany, just a few days earlier. And, as stated before, he changed systems quite a lot. In international football it is extra important to create stability as the players don’t play together as much as they do at their clubs. There are less possibilities to build muscle memory. It is not just the many changes on the pitch that influence the play. The right personnel is not always in the right spot. The left (wing)back position is a good example.
Esmée Brugts is not in form for the Netherlands national team. Although she also plays at left back for Barcelona, it’s not the position she naturally flourishes in. Still, Jonker keeps playing Brugts there. The Oranje Leeuwinnen lack a good natural left back who can challenge Brugts for the spot. And it’s not like there aren’t any good Dutch left backs playing on Europe’s pitches. Janou Levels has done really well at left back for Bayer Leverkusen and recently earned herself a transfer to Wolfsburg. She was last called up to the Netherlands national team in 2022 and earned 2 caps for the country, both were friendly matches.
Marisa Olislagers would be a good choice as well. She has had a great debut season at Brighton & Hove Albion and was elected their Player’s Player of the Season. Like Levels, she hasn’t earned herself a call up for the national team in a while, although she’s been with the team more recently than Levels. It’s possible that Jonker thinks that the way these two players play for club doesn’t match his vision, but it would have been good if they had been at least called up to be able to prove themselves in training for the Leeuwinnen. It hasn’t been the case now.
In addition, it is quite worrying how dependent the Leeuwinnen still are on Daniëlle van de Donk, who has announced that she probably will retire internationally after the upcoming Euros. The quality of the Leeuwinnen’s play improved dramatically when van de Donk entered the pitch against Germany. And likewise it dramatically deteriorated when she left the pitch against Scotland, after starting the match. Van de Donk plays with a tenacity that is very important to the team. That tenacity seemed to lack in other players this international break.
At the same time, Jonker still depends a lot on 35-year-old Sherida Spitse, although he has given other players some chances to prove themselves at center back. Spitse is still doing well in the Eredivisie for Ajax, but she seems to increasingly be losing out to faster players on the international level. Originally a defensive midfielder, Spitse has been moved back a line to make up for her deteriorating pace. With her experience she should have noticed that there was a player approaching her from behind in the 27th minute of the game against Scotland. That player was Kathleen McGovern, Hibernians’ golden boot winner in the Scottish Women’s Premier League. She put the ball in the back of the net with a great first touch finish. Spitse does have a lot of experience and brings a form of leadership to the team. There are however other players, like Jackie Groenen and Vivianne Miedema, who could also take that role upon them.
In January, it was announced that Jonker’s contract would not be extended after the upcoming Euros. Jonker has not hidden the fact that he was really displeased with this decision by the KNVB (Dutch FA). However professional Jonker and the players are, this could also have an influence on the team.
The Oranje Leeuwinnen have a period of rest now and will reconvene on the 19th of June. We can also expect the final squad announcement for the Euros around that time. Jonker will have to work with the team to create more positional awareness and structure.
The team has a friendly match against Finland lined up before they leave for Switzerland. Finland is a tough opponent and can be a good practice for the Euros opening match against Wales, who are also hard to break down. As a Dutchie I hope that the Leeuwinnen will grow into the tournament like they did in 2017 and get good results against France and England.
Let’s end with a van Gaal-style Dutchism: a bad dress rehearsal makes for a good actual show. I hope this is the case, but I have my doubts.
