Eight video games into his third spell accountable for the Netherlands and Louis van Gaal switched to a again three – which Virgil van Dijk admits will not be his favorite system.
Van Gaal was reappointed Netherlands supervisor again in August, popping out of retirement to guide his nation for the third time after spells within the early 2000s and 2010s.
Following the dismal reigns of Ronald Koeman and Frank de Boer, Van Gaal has resembled one thing of a saviour for the Dutch aspect, and to this point, he’s unbeaten in eight video games.
Final week introduced the sixth victory of that run to this point, a 4-2 pleasant win over Denmark, with Van Dijk captain for the eighth consecutive sport underneath his new supervisor.
However talking after that triumph in Amsterdam, Liverpool’s No. 4 mirrored on the transfer to a 3-4-3 system and instructed NOS that he was “nonetheless in favour of 4-3-3.”
“In fact, we’re enjoying in a brand new system, various things are required of the gamers. However I believe we confirmed loads of good issues,” Van Dijk was quoted by the Mail.
“Do I just like the system? Effectively, I’m nonetheless in favour of 4-3-3, however I’m not the nationwide coach and the nationwide coach has a really sturdy opinion about it.”
Van Gaal is definitely a person of sturdy opinions, and the 70-year-old rapidly responded to the phrases of his captain, revealing that they “already had this debate” when he was introduced again in.
“I do know he has that desire, he all the time mentioned this publicly,” he mentioned of Van Dijk.
“We already had this debate after I got here right here. The supervisor decides the techniques.”
It’s notable that, after 4 clear sheets and 4 objectives conceded within the earlier seven video games in a 4-3-3, the Netherlands shipped twice in a single sport on Saturday – together with a comeback aim for Christian Eriksen.
Van Dijk added that there have been “issues to enhance,” however it is going to be fascinating to see if the 3-4-3 shall be retained for the go to of Germany on Tuesday night time.
In fact, the general public debate over the system – and Van Gaal’s defence of his formation swap – could make the choice over techniques a trickier one for the supervisor.
