(Group C) Netherlands 3-2 Ukraine - Sunday 13th June, 2021

[Dave]

6 hours ago, UNORTHODOX said:

Gini Wijnaldum is like a prime inzaghi when he plays for Holland, Always in the right place to score which seems like every game. Shame we will never get to see him play more advanced in a Liverpool shirt.

Gini Wijnaldum is the perfect example of how tactics can mask the ability of a footballer. In a more advanced role for the Netherlands over the previous three seasons he looks a completely different player.

That said its completely understandable why Klopp hasn't used him in such a role, no manager would prioritise getting the best out of Gini Wijnaldum at the tactical expense of Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and the attacking full backs.

[Panna King]

3 hours ago, The Palace Fan said:

Gini Wijnaldum is the perfect example of how tactics can mask the ability of a footballer. In a more advanced role for the Netherlands over the previous three seasons he looks a completely different player.

That said its completely understandable why Klopp hasn't used him in such a role, no manager would prioritise getting the best out of Gini Wijnaldum at the tactical expense of Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and the attacking full backs.

Wijnaldum has always been an advanced player at Feyenoord and PSV as well as the National team, only Liverpool played him deeper as Klopp rates Gini's energy and work rate plus Frimino played as a false 9. 

[Michael]

Ukraine looked a bit nervous to me at the start of this match and the Dutch looked really up for it. I thought the Dutch impressed with their technical ability on the ball, their passing and off the ball movement was spot on when they attacked for most of the match. Wijnaldum was excellent, so was Frenkie de Jong ,while Weghorst and Dumfires also impressed for the Dutch.

As for Ukraine, they started slowly, but still managed to create a couple of chances in the first half, with Yarmolenko's effort on goal being one of them. But overall, the Dutch were the better side in the first half. I think the fact that Ukraine were playing away in Amsterdam against a very skilled Dutch side might have overwhelmed some of the younger, less experienced players. Indeed Ukraine's defence did look nervous and there were several mistakes made at the back. They had to rely on Buschan pulling off a couple of great blocks to save their bacon.

Indeed the Netherland's first goal started off due to a mistake by the left-back Mykolenko, as he allowed a pass that he really should have blocked go past him. That error allowed Dumfries to put in a dangerous cross that Buschan could only push out into the path of Wijnaldum, who scored in style. Mykolenko claimed he was fouled in the build up to the Netherland's second goal, as Dumfries ran into the Ukrainian penalty area. But again a sloppy clearance, this time by Matviyenko, allowed Weghorst to whack the ball at goal at the first attempt and score. It is worth mentioning that the Ukrainian defence is very young and perhaps their inexperience was exposed somewhat against the Dutch. Mykolenko only turned 22 at the end of May, while Zabarnyi is only 18! Matviyenko is older, but even he is only 25. 

The Dutch going 2-0 up seemed to awaken the Ukrainians and they started to take control of the match. An inspired goal by Yarmolenko, where he cut in from the left flank, played a one two with Yaremchuk and he then unleashed an unstoppable swerving shot into the top hand corner of the net. That goal inspired the Ukrainians and they scored a 2nd goal only moments later as Malinovskyi delivered a super cross from a free-kick and Yaremchuk leapt and headed the ball into the corner of the net to score Ukraine's 2nd goal. Both Ukraine's goals were excellent, which I believe is an indicator as to the quality they have in their team. But again some sloppy defending in defence by Ukraine, led to the ball eventually finding Ake down the left and his cross was headed into the net by Dumfries. The Ukrainians really need to stop their short passing in defence when under pressure, from which a mistake resulted in Dumfries's goal. They should just belt the ball as far away up the field, when their defence is being heavily pressed by the opposition.

On the balance of play, it was a deserved win for the Dutch on the night, but it was also a match from which Ukraine can learn a lot from. Buschan the keeper had an excellent first half, but he didn't have the best of 2nd halves. He really should have saved Dumfries headed goal, which turned out to be the winner. The left-back Mykolenko didn't have a great game, but he will want to display his excellent attacking qualities that he is renowned for in the upcoming matches. Sydorchuk the defensive midfielder didn't excel either and there will be calls to install the normally much more reliable Stepanenko to start for Ukraine, if he has shaken off his injury problems. Zinchenko and Malinovskyi didn't play to their potential and they will want to show a vast improvement in the upcoming matches. Ukraine were unfortunate that Zubkov had to leave the pitch injured against the Netherlands after only 10 minutes, where he was replaced by the ineffectual Marlos. Marlos's performance was so poor for Ukraine, that he was substituted back out for Ukraine and replaced by Shaparenko in the 64th minutes after Ukraine were 2-0 down. Sure enough with Shaparenko's energy, Ukraine improved as a team and managed to score two goals. If Zubkov is still injured for the game against North Macedonia, then Shaparenko should really start in his place and not Marlos. 

The two standout players for Ukraine against the Dutch were of course Yarmolenko and Yaremchuk. Indeed they both scored for Ukraine, but their overall performance was impressive against the Dutch. Yarmolenko was a bundle of energy and he caused havoc several times to the Dutch defence. He delivered a dangerous cross as early as the 3rd minute after some trickery down the right flank. He had claims for a penalty on 13 minutes as it seemingly looked like he was brought down by van Aanholt in the penalty area. On 30 minutes he turned the Dutch defence inside out before having a shot at goal which was relatively comfortably saved by Stekelenburg. Moreover, just before half time, Yarmolenko burst into the penalty area, latched onto Yaremchuk's backheeled pass, then skipped past two defenders and then forced Stekelenburg to block the ball out for a corner. Yarmolenko capped his tireless dislplay off with his wonderful strike of a goal. Yaremchuk also lead the line extremely well as the centre forward of the side. He laid the ball off very well for team mates, he made great runs and also tracked back when he needed to. Yaremchuk forced a decent save from Stekelenburg on 71 minutes, as he spun and shot from outside the area at the Dutch goal. He also assisted Yarmolenko's goal, as well as scoring himself with his impressive headed goal. 

Ukraine will look forward to their upcoming match against North Macedonia, desperate for a win against a side they know is not as good as they are.