Netherlands vs Uruguay: Analysing the Dutch formation

Oranje brigade

Today, the world will see Netherlands and Uruguay battle it out for a place in the finals of FIFA world cup 2010. The world cup hasn’t been what we expected it to be yet the teams who totally deserved to be there have entered the semi finals. The biggest news is that Robin Van Persie is available after injuring his elbow and thus manifesting the fact about his brittleness. Whereas, Uruguay would be without their shot stopper cum striker Luis Suarez.

In his place would be the regular goalkeeper Muslera and ‘el coco’ Abreu will start in a three men attack and Uruguayans will be without the injured captain Lugano and Fucile, the left back. Moreover, Netherlands would have to do without Nigel De jong and Gregory Van Der Wiel because of the suspension and will welcome Mathijsen back in the heart of defense.

On pitch the teams will adopt the same system as they have been throughout the world cup. Uruguay with 4-3-3 and the Dutch with 4-2-3-1. The biggest worry for Uruguay would be the three attacking Netherland midfielders that have been the backbone of this side. Kuyt on the left and Robben on the right with Sneijder pulling the strings in the centre. The two wide men would have the duty of cutting inside and join van Persie.

We all know what Robben does when he goes inside to his favorite left foot. Whereas, Sneijder will be in a free role being the playmaker and going literally everywhere to instigate an attack…going right, going left and perhaps tracking back deep to get the ball from his own half. The pair of holding midfielders will be a point that the Uruguayans may see as the weaklings …with De Jong suspended de zeeuw will have to step into his shoe and do the sweeping work in front of defense and cover the full backs whenever they join the attack. Meanwhile, Boulahrouz wont be the same attacking threat as Van Der Wiel and might like to remain a little back.

Netherlands formation

Uruguay will have to take the game to the opponents and perhaps take a chance with an attacking formation of 4-3-3 . They will have their talisman Forlan, budding star Cavani and Abreu up front. The biggest worry for them is to protect the wings which will be attacked by Kuyt and Robben. After the last game against Brazil, Uruguay would be looking to provide extra bit of protection to their backline in general and full backs in particular whereas the defensive midfielder would have the job of keeping Sneijder shut. They will be the underdog from the start but will have to work as a team and negate the three attacking players behind Van persie. It looks like it would be a torrid night for the Uruguay midfield and defense.