Netherlands to stick with winning system against Austria

Updated Jun. 16, 2021 12:37 p.m. ET

Associated Press

AMSTERDAM (AP) — The criticism of the Netherlands' 3-5-2 formation has suddenly fallen silent.

The attacking play in the team's

On Thursday, expect the same lineup of three defenders, five midfielders — including wingbacks on each flank — and two attackers against Austria in the team's second Group C match at the Johan Cruyff Arena.

“I think we've shown that 3-5-2 can be very attacking as well,” Netherlands defender Stefan de Vrij said. "Within 10 minutes, I think we had like seven shots.”

Some Dutch fans want the team to play what they consider to be the more attacking system of 4-3-3 — four defenders, three midfielders and three attackers. One even

Both the Dutch and the Austrians won their opening matches at Euro 2020, so both can advance with another victory. The top two teams in each of the six groups advance to the knockout stage, along with the four best third-place teams.

Austria leads Group C after

But the celebrations were cut short. On Wednesday, UEFA banned Marko Arnautović for the match in Amsterdam for insulting an opponent.

Austria coach Franco Foda said the team had already moved on and shifted focus to the match in Amsterdam.

“We have enough quality to compensate for him,” Foda said.

The North Macedonian soccer federation had asked

“It’s a shame (for Austria) because he’s a very good player,” De Boer said. “Austria will miss him. So in that respect it is an advantage for us.”

Back on the field, Austria defender Martin Hinteregger said the Netherlands match will be very different from the team's opener.

“We’ll have less of the ball, but that could be good as it will give us more chance to play on the counter,” Hinteregger said. “The Netherlands have incredible players, so we’ll need a top, united team performance to defend against their strong attacks.”

Netherlands defender Matthijs de Ligt, who missed the first match with a groin injury, has recovered.

“Yes, he is going to play,” De Boer said.

The coach did not say who would have to make way for the Juventus player. Ajax defender Jurrien Timber, who will celebrate his 20th birthday on Thursday, appears the most likely to remain on the bench.

De Ligt looked relaxed Wednesday as he cycled to training next to former Ajax teammate Frenkie De Jong.

The Dutch have won their last six matches against Austria. The Austrians' last victory over the Netherlands dates back to a friendly in Vienna in 1990 — before many of the current crop of players from both sides were even born.

A notable exception is goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg, at 38 the oldest player ever to play for the Netherlands at a major tournament.

Stekelenburg was a backup at Ajax last season until being called into the first team when Andre Onana was

Stekelenburg made his international debut nearly 17 years ago and had his career highlight playing in the Dutch team that reached the 2010 World Cup final in South Africa, where it lost to Spain 1-0. He made his return to the national team for the first time since 2016 in a pre-tournament friendly.

“If you had asked me at the beginning of this season whether I would be the first goalkeeper during European Championship," Stekelenburg said, "I would have laughed at you."

___

More AP soccer: