2) Netherlands miss influence of big three
The biggest problem for the Dutch tonight was their attack.There was a time when they were feared by many teams in every major competition they played. Thier impressive showings in the 2010 and 2014 World Cups displayed the amount of firepower they possessed in their ranks
The problem is the core of those teams have now been disbanded. Robin Van Persie has been dropped due to a lack of form. Robben isn’t getting any younger or fitter. Sneijder the youngest of the ‘Big Three’ is 32 and is still their most important player.
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This young football team is still to be assessed. Some of them show promise while others like Memphis Depay need to regain the form they once previously showed. It's very clear now how dependent they were on their stars but they will have to learn how to play without them.
If that means more effort in scouting the next Van Persie or Robben then so be it but they will have to admit that the team are currently in a transitional phase
