As one of the dutch coach's flags on the European continent, Luis van Gaal has always been one of the staunch supporters of the 4-3-3 formation, which he also used to lead Ajax to the Champions League in 1995. However, he recently admitted in an interview with the Dutch media newspaper Le Volks that his vision of football tactics has changed, and even said that the tactical style based on the 433 formation, that is, clubs such as Ajax or Barca, is outdated.
"I've always been immersed in Ajax's DNA, but as I gained more experience, things changed."
"Ajax still carries on the DNA of the past, that is, attacking players on the wing and always prioritizing attack, but the 433 formation is no longer a 'holy grail'. In the 532 formation, it is entirely possible to play a triangle position and rotate player positions, and de Boer of the Dutch national team is also trying to apply this style of play to the Dutch team at this summer's European Championship. ”
"The longer I coach, the more I like 5-3-2"
For the above reasons, Van Gaal argues that "5-3-2, or more aggressive 3-4-3, is the best tactical system":
"The longer I've been coaching, the more I like the 5-3-2 formation. You can use it to attack or defend, and in this formation you can put pressure on your opponent anywhere on the field, and if you handle it properly, your risk of being hit back by your opponent will be reduced because you have three defenders in the middle. ”
'I agree that a 4-3-3 formation is the best way to form a triangle on the pitch, but if it's 5-3-2, the balance of the team is better than it was when it was 4-3-3, and the same is true of 3-4-3."
"That striker who pulls back defensively is crucial, and you look at this week's Dutch game against Scotland: two Scottish players are going to face five Dutch players. What you should do is start protecting the backcourt in the front and always keep at least one person more than the opponent in the local area, which they have been playing football for 50 years in Germany. ”
It's getting harder and harder for wingers to play
Van Gaal said tactically relying on wingers was outdated and also cited some examples where they all started as wingers but eventually changed positions: "Messi started on the right, but he's not there now and he's not doing anything right winger should do. ”
"Neymar isn't a left winger now, right? And Mbappe. Now it's getting harder and harder for wingers to play because the defenders are getting better and better and you have less and less room. The football game is more compact than before, and those commentators say the pace is too slow. ”
For Depay, this is the most appropriate tactic
At the 2014 World Cup, Van Gaal led the Netherlands to the final four, when he used the 532 system, to which he said:
"Never forget the goalkeeper because for me he was the 11th outfielder and the start of the game. I think 5-3-2 is the best formation and now almost all the elite players play in that style. ”
"Compared to when I used this formation at the World Cup in Brazil in 2014, there is less criticism of the 532 system now. If there are still people who question, as many Dutch media now question De Boer's tactics, their lives will not be too good. ”
"The key is whether the players believe in the system. For example, it's a good formation for Depay, it's the most creative, let him play freely. And now this Dutch team has a lot of creative players, like De Jong and Blind. ”
in Cosimo