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Hello and warm welcome to the latest edition of our newsletter! In this issue, the following topics take center stage:

1. ⚽England vs Netherlands

2. 👉3 New Exercises!

⚽England vs Netherlands

On Wednesday, substitute Ollie Watkins secured a dramatic 2-1 victory for England against the Netherlands in Dortmund with a last-minute goal in the 90th minute, sending the team to the Euro 2024 final. Let's take a closer look at the match and, in particular, the performance of the English team.

At the start of the tournament, the English team faced heavy criticism, but they have shown steady improvement with each game. Coach Gareth Southgate places great emphasis on a solid defense while having more than enough offensive options to pose a significant threat.

The Defense

England started this game very dominantly against a Dutch team that had not been known for spectacular offensive play so far in the European Championship. In such crucial matches, it is expected that the priority is initially on solid defense, as the pressure is enormous.

The English team distinguished themselves through good running and disciplined defensive work. They effectively disrupted the Dutch during their build-up play in their own half (Zone 1). They played almost man-to-man defense across the entire field, making it very difficult for the Dutch to break free through combination play.

However, when the Dutch managed to combine effectively, Gareth Southgate's team dropped deeper and defended with a compact midfield press. They typically formed a 5-4-1 or 5-3-2 formation. Particularly notable was Saka's significant running, as the typically offensive winger repeatedly dropped back into the defensive line to provide support.

When you first hear about a five-man defense, the initial thought often revolves around the team sitting deep. However, during this European Championship, it was fascinating to observe how frequently this five-man defense pushed up high. The English team successfully thwarted passes into the gaps by tracking the opposing players well into midfield before relinquishing them to a teammate.

Later in the game, especially in the second half, the English team often defended with a back four. This illustrates the flexibility required of a team today and highlights the importance of being able to adapt defensively depending on the game situation. The English managed to close down crucial spaces effectively, preventing dangerous players like Xavi Simons or Memphis Depay from receiving the ball in dangerous areas between the lines.

The Offense

In the offensive phase, the English team displayed great flexibility. With Bellingham and Foden, they have two players who excel at moving into the spaces between the lines and are also comfortable playing on the wings or dropping deep. They play with a lot of freedom, actively seeking out pockets of space to exploit.

The Dutch team appeared generally passive in defense. While they initially seemed compact, compactness alone does not equate to effective defending. In contrast to the English team, the Dutch often hesitated to press early when England attempted to build from the back, allowing them relatively easy access into the second zone.

Afterwards, a frequent sight was the 4-2-2-2 formation, with Walker and Trippier positioned slightly higher, and Rice, Mainoo, Foden, and Bellingham forming the well-known box midfield. However, England's offensive setup and spatial strategy remained highly adaptable, always contingent upon the opponent.

In general, it can be openly and clearly stated that the English team possesses qualitatively superior players in the central areas compared to the Dutch, and this was evident on the field as well. The English dominated the spaces between the lines, whereas the Netherlands struggled to sufficiently control these areas between their defensive lines.

We have prepared several examples to illustrate this:

In this first example, you can clearly see Bellingham standing freely, receiving the ball, and turning without pressure. With Foden positioned wide on the touchline in this scene, Malen is unsure whether to mark him or secure the center. If he stays with Bellingham, it creates a one-on-one situation for the skillful dribbler, Foden. However, if he goes to Foden, Bellingham remains unmarked and able to influence play. Defensive teams are constantly faced with such decisions.

On the other side of the field, a similar situation unfolded: Walker had pushed forward while Saka occupied the space between the lines. It was evident how Aké initially attempted to track Saka but ultimately chose not to, so as not to leave Walker isolated. This allowed Saka to receive the ball calmly and have enough space to initiate the attack.

The Dutch clearly struggled, especially with the flexibility of Foden and Bellingham, who moved freely and frequently. They rarely found suitable solutions. Their defense was organized in a 4-4-2 formation, which can be vulnerable in the spaces between the lines if not well-coordinated and shifted forward from the front.

Here, a nearly identical scene unfolds, but this time Foden is on the wing and Saka occupies the space between the lines and receives the ball. While Ake recognizes the situation, the organization of the Dutch team is not in sync.

However, as mentioned earlier, they have the advantage of having superior players in midfield. We've selected a fine example showcasing the young but promising Mainoo. In this instance, you can clearly see him feinting a run into open space behind the defender, thereby creating significant room. This moment is particularly remarkable and highlights his high football intelligence, even without the ball at his feet.

Conclusion:

The Dutch defended better in the second half by staying closer to their opponents. However, they struggled to make offensive impacts. Over the full 90 minutes, England deserved their victory as they defended solidly at the back and effectively capitalized on their few chances up front.

In the final, they will now face the likely favorites, Spain, who also boast a very strong team. Do you believe England can finally bring a title home this time?

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