Euro 2020 Qualifiers, Germany 2-4 Netherlands: 5 Talking Points and Tactical Analysis

#3 Frenkie De Jong sparkles in midfield

Frenkie De Jong (R)

Frenkie De Jong captured the imagination of the footballing world last term with his sizzling displays for Ajax in the centre of the park.

Subsequently, he completed a big-money move to Barcelona in the summer, with many even earmarking him as Sergio Busquets’ eventual successor. And, against Germany, the midfielder highlighted why those claims aren’t too unfounded.

De Jong was a bundle of energy throughout the game and he ran the show from the middle third. He constantly offered his teammates a passing option before distributing the ball with efficiency. In addition, he popped up in tight areas, wriggled past his opponents and then picked the right passes.

Defensively too, he was quite sound and ensured that he tracked back to keep Germany’s midfielders in check.

He capped off his brilliant display with a superlative goal when he arrived late in the penalty area and met Ryan Babel’s cross.

De Jong cushioned the ball with his first touch, waltzed beyond the defender and smashed the ball past Manuel Neuer to bring Netherlands level.

Before the game started, numerous football fanatics were excited by the prospect of De Jong and Kroos squaring off against each other in midfield. While the German gave a good account of himself, one just feels that the Dutchman outshone him on the night.

More impressively for De Jong though, such displays are becoming the norm. And, that facet is what sets him apart from most other midfielders on the planet.