Netherlands vs. Mexico: Key Issues and Decisions That Will Shape Friendly Game
Mexico and Netherlands will face each other on Wednesday for the second time in less than six months, but the circumstances for both teams are very different from what we saw during the 2014 World Cup.
For starters, Mexico are going through a generational change, which has brought some new talented footballers to the squad, but they have yet to make a real impact on the pitch.
Despite their success with their clubs, they haven't had a walk in the park with El Tri.
Carlos Vela's addition to the roster has created expectation and conflicting opinions, such as Luis "El Matador" Hernandez's, who told Bleacher Report he is not happy with Miguel Herrera's decision.
In any case, Mexico should make the most out of this game. This will be the most demanding match they have had since El Piojo started his process toward Russia 2018.
Let's take a look at the key issues and decisions that will shape this friendly match.
Who Should Miguel Herrera Use in the Attacking Zone?
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Javier Hernandez, Giovani dos Santos and Carlos Vela are clearly in shape to take over the attacking spots in Miguel Herrera's 5-3-2 system.
Hernandez has already put the ball away four times with Real Madrid this season. He is also El Tri's third all-time scorer, with a total tally of 37 goals.
After eight games, Dos Santos has yet to score in La Liga. However, he has created seven goal opportunities, including one assist.
Gio has proven to be one of the most creative Mexican footballers. His speed combined with his fine touch—76 percent of pass accuracy this season—set him as a game changer for Mexico.
Vela is making his return to the national team after three-and-a-half years. The Real Sociedad forward was having a tough season so far, as he had only netted once in 10 appearances.
However, Vela went back to his old self by helping his side defeat Atletico Madrid with a goal from outside the box.
In Squawka's comparison matrix, Hernandez and Vela have better scores when it comes to attacking. Vela tops the category with 118.30 points; Chicharito has 104.25.
Dos Santos is well above in possession, with a total of 6.61, while the other two footballers are in red numbers.
Hernandez is better when it comes to shot accuracy (60 percent), while Vela has created more goal chances (12).
Vela's addition to the team could bring the final touch Mexico have been missing, while Hernandez's fierceness and momentum will be instrumental to put pressure on the rival's defense.
Where Does Carlos Vela Fit?
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Carlos Vela should start the game along with Javier Hernandez.
The Real Sociedad footballer knows how to play as an attacking midfielder, through the center of the pitch or from the flanks.
This season he has played as a solo striker, next to Sergio Canales and in the right midfield.
His dribbling skills and vision to create plays set him as a valuable asset in the last line. He has created 66 percent of his goal opportunities from the last third of the pitch.
Miguel Herrera will not change his strategy. He will continue using his 5-3-2 formation, in which Andres Guardado, Jose Juan Vazquez and Hector Herrera (not related) have already proven to be sharp.
They played solidly in this year's World Cup, so there's no need to make any changes there. Plus, it would be a total waste to put Vela in the midfield when it is clear that he could give El Tri new options when it comes to attacking.
If he can make a solid partnership with Chicharito, they will be an unstoppable duo.
Nigel De Jong's Absence
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Nigel De Jong was making a huge impact with AC Milan, and Netherlands coach Guus Hiddink was hoping to count on his momentum. Unfortunately, the midfielder pulled out of the team due to a hamstring injury.
De Jong's absence comes in a terrible moment for Hiddink, as his side has suffered defeats to Czech Republic and Iceland in the Euro qualifiers, leaving the Oranje in third place of Group A.
His defensive skills set him apart from those who could take his place. Daley Blind could replace him as he did in this year's World Cup; even Leroy Fer could take over.
But the AC Milan footballer has been one step ahead of them. Through Squawka's comparison matrix, he leads in defense with 180 points, Blind has 48 and Fer 47.
He is also ahead in interceptions, with a total of 42, twice the number of Blind and almost four times better than Fer.
Mexico will take advantage of this. El Tri hadn't had the same power through the flanks, and even when Antonio Rios made a good impression in the past couple of games, the team lacked depth through the center.
Now Miguel Herrera will have the chance to play with the same midfield he used in the 2014 World Cup and that took on Netherlands in the round of 16.
How to Stop Arjen Robben?
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Arjen Robben put Mexico in distress in Brazil 2014, and he will do it again.
The Bayern Munich footballer has put the ball away four times in seven Bundesliga appearances. He has also scored twice in three Champions League games.
Robben is by far the most unbalancing footballer on Guus Hiddink's side. He creates opportunities from the flanks and the center of the pitch with the same ease.
Mexico need to stop him in the midfield, not in the last third of the pitch.
If Andres Guardado, Jose Juan Vazquez and Hector Herrera keep the ball as much as possible and put pressure on the Netherlands in their side of the pitch, they will push Robben to come down to support his teammates.
It's all about ball possession.
Mexico's Defense
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Mexico haven't coped well with the absence of Hector Moreno and Rafael Marquez.
El Tri's back line has suffered in the past four friendly matches. Miguel Herrera hasn't figured out which players should start in the center of the box, and time is running out.
El Piojo has given Miguel Angel Herrera (not related), Oswaldo Alanis, Luis Venegas, Julio Dominguez and Hugo Ayala the chance to excel in this position, and although Dominguez and Ayala have delivered good results, the defense is still shaky.
Herrera called up basically the same centre-backs for the upcoming friendly, with the addition of Diego Reyes, who hasn't played with Porto since September.
There's a lot of work to do in this line, and it’s not clear how Mexico could turn things around in this match.
All stats appear courtesy of Squawka, unless otherwise noted.
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