Van Gaal made tactical changes

Are you kidding me? Maybe not, as Holland’s manager Louis van Gaal is probable to field his side in a 5-3 2 system the Oranje never have seen before. It would mean that Netherlands will not play their usual Dutch-style 4-3-3 neither the classic Ajax 3-4-3 with a midfield diamond which Van Gaal utilized during his career. But it doesn’t mean his side will play more defensively in Brazil. The tactical switch was a result of the injury occurred to Kevin Strootman, according to Van Gaal: “He is the only player I have who is able to play box-to-box and still keeps the midfield in balance…so I am looking for a system that suits my best.” With Roma’s midfielder out of the tournament, Van Gaal is ready to opt for the 5-3-2 system which can easily be read as a 3-4-1-2. The new system seems structured to resurrect Wesley Sneijder’s fortune with the National team. The Galatasaray playmaker was a key part of Bert van Marwijk’s side that reached the 2010 World Cup final but his career hit up and downs ever since. After he won the treble with Inter in 2010, Sneijder to regain his past form. By the way, he showed some flashes of his past brilliance since he came to Turkey. Playing at the back could be Ron Vlaar as sweeper with two between Stefan de Vrij, Joel Veltman, Bruno Martins Indi and Terence Kongolo at his flanks.  Daryl Janmaat and Daley Blind would start as wing-backs while Nigel de Jong and Jordy Clasie would play in front of the 5-man backline. Both are defensive midfielders with the duty to protect the backline with the team out of possession. But they also will have to support Sneijder, the No. 10 placed behind the two forwards Robin Van Persieand Arjen Robben. Should 3-5-2- don’t work, Van Gaal could return to a 4 3-3 that could end Sneijder’s hopes to be this team’s playmaker once again. In fact, Van Gaal's thoughts are that Sneijder doesn’t work enough defensively which means he’s expendable in a more offensive formation. Obviously, a new system requires time and the Holland’s 3-5-2 make no exception. The first serious test ended in a 1-1 friendly game against Ecuador in which Van Gaal had some headache as both Clasie and Blind struggled through the game while the 3-man centre backs wasn’t so balanced defensively. By the way there is still time before the World Cup begin. Today friendly against Ghana could provide Van Gaal another inside look to his tactical experiment.