The Netherlands coach, Ronald Koeman, does not count on Memphis Depay as a starter in the team’s World Cup debut, next Sunday, against Japan. The coach believes that the Corinthians striker still does not have the physical conditions to play the full 90 minutes.
“To be honest, I don’t think he’s 100% ready to start playing yet. We still have a friendly and a few days of training. I’m not ruling anything out,” said Koeman after the 2-1 victory over Uzbekistan, before the closed part of training with the reserves.
The number 10 has recovered in recent weeks from a grade 2 muscle strain on the anterior surface of his right thigh. He was absent from Corinthians for two months. Since returning, he has played three games — two for the São Paulo team and one in the friendly against Algeria — without going over 45 minutes in any of them.
Without Memphis, the Netherlands beat Uzbekistan 2-1 in the last test before the World Cup, but the triumph was conceded. A Clockwork Orange needed two penalties to find the net and only secured victory with the final play.
The lack of offensive efficiency is the main point of attention for the Dutch commander. Koeman highlighted that the team wasted three clear chances against Uzbekistan and did not score from an open game against Algeria, even though they created opportunities.
“We need to improve things, and if I have to highlight something, it’s goal scoring. We played two games where we only scored two penalty goals. Of course, you need to convert those too, but in those games we missed three or four big chances that we should have taken. That worries us a little. There were also times when things didn’t go quickly enough or the coordination wasn’t right. I thought that was below expectations in those two games,” said the coach.
One of Memphis’ main competitors for the attacking spot is Donyell Malen, Roma’s center forward. He missed a good opportunity in the first half and had no other relevant chances.
Koeman reinforced the need for evolution in finishing, repeating the demand for converting the opportunities created.
Agenda
Top seed in Group F, the Netherlands debut this Sunday (June 14), against Japan, at 5pm (Brasília time), in Dallas. Then, they face Sweden on the 20th, at 2 pm, in Houston. Finally, the group stage ends against Tunisia, on the 25th, at 8 pm, in Kansas City.
