Holding Midfield
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After the historic events of yesterday, this game was always likely to disappoint, but it still had plenty to offer. If the Netherlands won, they would match up in the final against arch-rivals Germany, while an Argentina win kept alive hopes of a victory on their own rivals’ soil. Alejandro Sabella brought back Marcos Rojo and Enzo Perez was given the nod after he replaced the injured Angel di Maria in the last game, while Memphis Depay made way for Nigel de Jong as Louis van Gaal changed back to a 3-4-1-2. The match was essentially entirely about the Dutch defence stopping Argentina. When they didn’t have the ball, Argentina would sit deep, denying Arjen Robben the space behind them he needed, so the Netherlands were devoid of any attacking ideas now they couldn’t just hit it long on the counter. Argentina would limit the Dutch further by pressing up against their back three when the ball was played to Jasper Cillessen, forcing him to hit a long ball straight back to them. The Dutch continued their theme of sticking extremely close to their opposite number, with each midfielder essentially man-marking their opposite number. Nigel de Jong stuck close to […]
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