The Netherlands: new technician, old Bobo…

The lists of the European teams to face the qualifying phase of Euro 2024 continue to be presented. And, in this case, the 26 summoned from the Netherlands have already been announced, who were chosen by the new coach of the Dutch team, Ronald Koeman, who took command after the departure of Louis Van Gaal. Bobo for Bobo…

There were not many surprises in Koeman’s call. The most remarkable thing is that none of the three goalkeepers who were at the World Cup in Qatar will be there: Andries Noppert, Justin Bijlow, and Remko Pasveer. The first two are injured and the third is 39 years old, so, in this sense, the former Barcelona coach decided to bet on youth.

In place of these three are Jasper Cillessen (NEC Nijmegen), with considerable experience in the Netherlands goal but who had been ruled out by Van Gaal; Mark Flekken (Freiburg) and 20-year-old Bart Verbruggen, who makes noise at Anderlecht in Belgium.

Another of the changes that Koeman will make in the Netherlands is linked to the style of play. The former Barcelona coach has already warned that he will not continue with Van Gaal’s rigid 5-3-2 and that he will opt for a more offensive 4-3-3. Thus, the first sensations of the project led by the Dutchman will only be known on Friday, March 24, when they face the runner-up in the world, France, and on Monday the 27th, when they clash against Gibraltar.

Koeman is another coach who never quite liked the Argentine public. Although he always got tired of praising Lionel Messi, when he arrived at Barcelona, ​​he had a short circuit with Leo. According to what the Spanish media had reported at the time, in a meeting that both held, The Dutchman used blunt phrases regarding how he wanted to lead the team, something that 10 did not quite like.

And, in addition, he made decisions that were questioned even by the Barcelona fans themselves, How not to have Luis Suárez, one of Barcelona’s references in recent years and a close friend of Messi. Even, as the Uruguayan had revealed on that occasion, Koeman told him that he was not going to take it into account through a call that lasted less than a minute.