While we are building up to the climax of football’s showpiece in Brazil, are we seeing the reasons behind why Manchester United may have gone for Louis van Gaal?
He has shown exceptional tactics and planning to take Holland, tipped to be knocked out of the group stage, to within two victories of the World Cup.
His next task will be facing the well fancied Argentina and the current world’s best player, Lionel Messi. But how will Van Gaal go about stopping Messi and the rest of the free-flowing, attacking Argies?
So far in the tournament we have seen Van Gaal impose a preferred style of play, but also the willingness to make some key and game-winning substitutions.
In the group stage we saw Holland play out the biggest surprise of the tournament, with the 5-1 spanking of the current world champions Spain.
Van Gaal approached the game with five defenders, making his midfield as compact and narrow as possible to eliminate and end the tika-taka style of football that had been so consistent and successful the last five years.
This will be the approach he will take against Argentina, which gives him his best chance to eliminate the presence of Messi, while also looking to counter at pace with the likes of Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie to expose a less than impressive defence.
When we think Argentina we simply think about one man, which is easy to do. But they have other pieces to the jigsaw that I am sure Van Gaal will be looking to eliminate. We would expect Niger de Jong (if fit) to sit in front of the defence and try to eliminate Messi getting between the lines and running at the back five.
But one huge advantage for Van Gaal will be Argentina’s loss of Angel di Maria due to injury. While his performances have received harsh criticism, he is still a match winner for the Argentinians as we saw with the winner against Switzerland in the round of 16.
The man to replace him is likely to be Sergio Aguero after he trained with the side the past few days. We would all agree he has had a remarkably quiet tournament, which has been hampered by injury, but Van Gaal will be wary and experienced enough to still know he can knock-out his Dutch side with clinical finishing.
While Ageuro is an able replacement he is a front man, unlike Di Maria who gives natural width to the Argentina attack. This is something that will play into Holland’s hands.
The worry for Van Gaal would have been that if they make the pitch tight in the central areas that they will spring the ball into the wider areas where Di Maria can expose his full backs. Without him I don’t think Aguero or Gonzalo Higuian can offer that same natural width and ability to beat a man and deliver.
Even if they were, Van Gaal would be happy as his three centre halves can all deal with a cross with the likes of Messi and the other smaller forwards in the box.
We have touched on how the Dutch can neutralise the Argentinians going forward, but how can they use it to their advantage at the other end?
When holding a deeper line and compacting the central areas it will draw the Argies towards them, creating pressure on the Dutch defence. They have already shown they are capable of handling this pressure against the likes of Chile and Spain, and then utilising it to their favour by counter attacking.
We have seen that the South Americans have been less than convincing at the back and the men in orange have looked like they can score at will, but those thinking it will be a goal fest think again.
The Dutch will be clever and pick their moments to attack, knowing that committing men forward could leave them susceptible to a counter themselves. With the likes of Messi, Higuain and Aguero as the front three you wouldn’t want to leave yourself light at the back.
We have two top teams packed full of attacking talent but the stakes are high this late on in the tournament. Both teams will be scared to lose so don’t be surprised to see Argentina set up in a similar fashion.
While Argentina will be favourites with the bookmakers, experience counts for plenty at this stage. With that in mind and with these tactics enforced by the Dutch boys, I believe this is how Louis van Gaal will get the Dutch to the World Cup final.
Red Kev
Roar Guru
I do like the dissonance of calling van Gaal a mastermind (in the headline) just before he completely bottled the semi-final against Argentina. - He takes off van Persie and when it goes to penalties none of his team wants to take the first shot at goal (or at least two players refused to step up according to the news reports). - The van Persie sub means Krul can't be subbed on for the penalty shoot-out and Cillessen maintains his record of never saving a penalty. Seems to me to be pretty poor management by a so-called mastermind to me.
Tom
Guest
The match against Argentina is what I'm thinking of as his playing style. I liken him to Capello and Mourhino. They all have won everything in club football. However their game plan is always negative in important matches. They always set up to defend the score line 0-0 and rely on a moment to win the match. Given the clubs they are in charge of they always have big players make success likely. However when they don't there is always a big fall out. Mourinho at Madrid is a an example. LVG at Bayern another.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
What do you consider "big games"? LVG has been senior coach at AZ Alkmaar Ajax Barcelona Bayern Munich He's won the domestic league title at every club he's coached. He's won the domestic knock-out cup competition at at every club, except with AZ. He's won the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Cup, UEFA Super Cup & Intercontinental Cup. He would have to be amongst the most successful club managers in the past 50 years.
tom
Guest
The impression I have of lvg is that he's successful coach but negative when it comes to big games. Similar to Capello he eventually falls out with his big players.
AG
Guest
A smart move would be to simply start Krul if penalties is the winning strategy v Argentina. Otherwise, the Dutch should have been more attacking. My view is that Cilleson should have continued and that the Dutch should have done the latter. Argentina are a class side in respect of penalties and playing for them was a poor move (particularly without Krul). We've seen great attacking play from the Dutch in this WC and also solid defending when required. However, they struggled to break sides down. It will be interesting to see how he goes at Manchester United, a team which need to break down the 10 or so weaker sides in the division. Certainly, he is more astute for the big games than Moyes. As a LFC fan, I hope poorly.
AG
Guest
Is Van Gaal still a mastermind after this morning's game??!! The Dutch barely fired a shot. Van Gaal is a good tactician, but mastermind is a step too far. He is certainly light years ahead of Big Fa(Ph)il.
Jim
Guest
I know Mancini didn't do a good job, but he's far from the first to falter trying to play wingbacks in the EPL. Will be interesting to see, if Van Gaal goes down that path, to see if he can pull it off. I've got a feeling it won't work, and with the exception of Shaw, I don't think the other three you named are either particuarly good defenders (which of course you need) or are particularly suited to that role. Evra is over the hill imo, Valencia is a winger not a wingback, and Rafael, whilst improved is a 'meh' player in my book. Hummels is a fine defender. De Vrij clearly has potential, but Vermaaelen is injury prone, and more a jack of all trades. Certainly an improvement on the current shabby lot that's for sure. An interesting summer at United, but they will take a while I think to click - I don't think Van gaal is going to come in overnight and all will be jolly again.
Football United
Guest
Mancini never had a clue how to play proper Wingbacks, he even tried James Milner there which was never going to work. Rafael, Valencia, Evra and Shaw would do a far better job in LVG's current system than Mancini's hatchet job at city. As for the centre backs i'm not impressed with those three mentioned either but with Hummels, De Vrij and Vermaelen all being linked to Old Trafford, you would expect United to be in far better shape defensively than last year.
Jim
Guest
Id love to see united play '5-3-2' with the donkeys that are Smalling jones and Evans as the 3 centre backs - would be hilarity for all 19 other EPL clubs. Mancini tried playing with wingbacks a couple of season back with city and it lasted about 10 games before he finally ditched it, as it was an utter shambles. No doubt Van Gaal is a better manager than Mancini, but still would be a big risk.
Jack Austin
Guest
I agree he has natural wing backs in Rafael and Shaw who will certainly look to get forward but I would not be surprised to see him bring in another centre back with a bit more experience. Ron Vlaar is linked as he has played this role for Van Gaal before. If united managed to capture Alexis Sanchez I feel he could be the finally piece of the puzzle if he was to play this formation as he would be the explosive wider player to break and feed the likes of Rooney and Van persie.
Football United
Guest
I'd actually love to see LVG try his 5-3-2 at Man Utd, it seems a perfect fit with the players he has there at the moment. The wingers at his disposal have been very average recently bar Januzaj who is better through the middle anyway. Both Rooney and Van Persie could play together up front and Mata is able to play right behind the strikers. He'd still need a few new Centre backs and a central midfielder who could break up play but it certainly would be an interesting prospect. De Gea Smalling - Jones - Evans Rafael Shaw Herrera - Carrick Mata Rooney - Van Persie