The Dutch national team is set to face powerhouse France in the second round of the European Championship, and ahead of the match, forward Marten de Roon addressed the media, discussing his role and position on the field under the coaching staff.
Playing for Borussia Dortmund, De Roon was instrumental in the opening group match against Poland, unsettling opponents with his pace and rhythm. Compared to Xavi Simons, De Roon demonstrated more daring and effective runs down the wing. Following the match, calls in the Netherlands grew louder for him to replace Simons in the starting lineup against France.
Addressing questions about his position and whether he would start or come off the bench, De Roon said, “I’ve played in many positions. Initially, it was a bit challenging for me on the right, but now I’ve played there numerous times, so I really don’t mind.”
De Roon’s statement is not mere modesty; against Poland, he started as a right winger before moving to the left after Donyell Malen’s introduction. Commenting on Ronald Koeman’s tactical setup, De Roon remarked, “I always want to play, but the decision lies with the coach.”
The Dutch team’s tactical shifts are not as straightforward as swapping one player for another. In their first Euro match, Koeman proactively employed tactical changes, with the team defending in a 4-2-3-1 formation but transitioning to a 3-3-4 in attack. This surprised spectators. While Simons dropped back into midfield, freeing up the right side for Denzel Dumfries, De Roon’s entrance didn’t see him occupy a central midfield role, instead positioning himself as a traditional striker, offering significant support to the team.
Netherlands’ Right Winger Controversy: Marten de Roon Stands by Coach’s Decision. Author：Sports UEFA.Please indicate the source when reproduced：https://www.sportsuefa.com/football-world/netherlands-right-winger-controversy-marten-de-roon-stands-by-coachs-decision.html
