I’ve by no means seen a staff win a World Cup and not using a strong defence.
We discuss having one of the best assault at this event however, now we’re within the knockout stage, with the ability to cease targets goes to be as essential as scoring them.
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, for instance, might want to tighten up on the again in comparison with how they performed towards and . The video games are going to be more durable and nearer, even for the main groups – we’re not going to see as many large scores.
There have been numerous targets up to now, greater than at every other World Cup, however some defences have already impressed me and, once I take into consideration the strongest, then possibly it is the Dutch who’ve one of the best one.
I actually like the entire back-line of , , and , and virtually all of them have simply had superb seasons.
The one one you may say who was not at his greatest together with his membership staff was Virgil however I’d say that was extra all the way down to ‘s issues than his.
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Virgil remains to be the chief of that Dutch defence and he has not simply bought proficient gamers round him, they have numerous tempo and power and physicality too.
He’s 34, virtually 35 now, however already we have now seen some famous person attackers who’re a lot older have a big effect at this event, and I really feel he’s additionally nonetheless on the prime of his sport.
Van Dijk has performed each minute of the Netherlands’ three video games at this World Cup [Reuters]
The one time I gained our bodily battle
Virgil is a participant I do know very effectively. I do know he has named me as his hardest opponent – he known as me his ‘bogeyman’ due to the targets I scored towards him – however we have now bought a mutual respect.
I’d put him in my prime three of hardest defenders I’ve confronted too, together with ‘s and ‘s Pepe, and we have now had some nice duels down the years.
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Up to now, my mates have proven me a humorous image of him which at all times makes me snigger – you’ll be able to see it right here under – the place we’re having a bodily battle. I believe I gained it!
I’ve simply chested the ball and look fairly cool and composed, whereas Virgil is bouncing off me, and falling down like that.
I want that occurred each time we performed one another – however it was possibly the one time in 10 that I gained our duel and that is why it’s humorous. There have to be many different footage the place he’s up, and it’s me down on the ground!
That picture was taken in 2018 and Virgil has had a couple of accidents since then, however he’s nonetheless sturdy and naturally he’s nonetheless as intelligent and composed as ever.
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That is most likely his final probability to win a World Cup and I’m fairly positive he is aware of his staff are relying additionally on his management to go far within the event, which is the opposite facet of what he brings.
In addition to being captain, he’s sort of the large brother of his nationwide staff now, the one who wants to point out the trail and set an instance on the pitch, and I do know he has bought the character to cope with that being on his shoulders.
I nonetheless don’t see the Dutch as being among the many favourites for this World Cup however they’ve some proficient gamers and possibly we ought to be speaking about them greater than we’re. No matter they do from right here, although, Virgil remains to be the principle man for them.
He’s so skilled and has gained so many trophies. He’ll know the Dutch haven’t reached the ultimate at a World Cup since 2010.
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Sixteen years is a very long time, Virgil – so possibly it’s time to put that proper!
You at all times want steadiness in your staff
One other defender I’m a giant fan of at this World Cup is ‘s Antonio Rudiger, who was one of many hardest defenders I performed with, not to mention towards!
I hated enjoying towards him in coaching at Chelsea as a result of he was the identical as he’s in a sport – effectively, a bit of extra cautious and rather less loopy possibly, however he’s nonetheless at all times pinching you and annoying you want that!
If he’s in good situation, he is likely one of the greatest. He has not began each sport up to now but when he’s match, he is an efficient mixture with on the again. They appear sturdy collectively.
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What’s most essential with any defence nonetheless is the steadiness of the staff. It doesn’t matter how good you might be since you additionally have to have midfielders who’re going to guard you. If you’re open, and you might be towards pacy gamers, it turns into very troublesome.
The midfield is basically sturdy in that means, as a result of they know they must cowl some floor defensively for , who doesn’t have the legs to try this.
Messi has by no means been the one chasing opponents, urgent clever, however that does not matter if behind him, their midfield is working onerous with out the ball to guard the backline.
does that for the Netherlands and have the precise steadiness in that means too with Bruno Guimaraes and .
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We had this with France after we gained the World Cup in 2018 with our midfield of N’Golo Kante, and . All of them labored onerous, but when anybody left a spot then N’Golo compensated for it.
This time, France play with another offensive participant in there, so we must see if we are able to nonetheless attempt to rating extra targets than our opponents, with out dropping that cowl deeper within the pitch.
I really feel we are able to rating targets any time in a sport but when we are able to additionally shield our lead with defence, it is a large asset for any staff.
Olivier Giroud was talking to BBC Sport’s Chris Bevan
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