Orange is the New Black’, a critically acclaimed Netflix drama about life for women in prison. ‘Oranje’, the nickname for the national football team of Netherlands, headed by Ronald Koeman. The relation, the TV show’s title means black is fashionable, as it goes with everything, but as the women wear orange uniforms, that’s the ‘new black’. The form of the Dutch side has seen the once football juggernaut, come back into the limelight, as Koeman makes the Oranje jersey, fashionable. ‘Oranje is the New Black’.
A 90th minute Virgil Van Dijk volley in the Veltins Arena booked his countries place in the semi-finals of the inaugural, UEFA Nations League, next year. Coming from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 burying already relegated Germany and topping the group in the process, it’s a change of fortunes for Netherlands. Having been pitted against current world champions France and former holders of the crown, Germany, it wasn’t the easiest task for Koeman in his new job. Already written off as the ‘whipping boys’ of A1, some fresh optimism and all-action football saw them overcome the world’s best. It has been a traumatic four years since a penalty shoot-out loss denied the Dutch a World Cup final, Louis Van Gaal departed for Manchester United and any fan will tell you to forget the majority of what’s happened since.
Yet just over a month ago, the reverse fixture saw a 3-0 demolition of Joachim Low’s wounded squad. It was ruthless, powerful and pacey in Amsterdam, arguably the return of the swash-buckling football that swept then world champions, Spain, aside back in Brazil four years ago. Whilst some were wondering how Ryan Babel has developed like a fine wine to be terrorising world-class defenders, Memphis Depay was orchestrating the beating of Germany, not the first they’ve had this year.
The 24-year-old winger has rejuvenated his career after his 2015 move to United, joining his former national boss Van Gaal, failed to take off. A switch to France and three years on, only Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have been more efficient in goal contribution than the eccentric forward. The phrase, ‘big fish in a small pond’, seems relevant when discussing the career of Depay, as when he headed to one of football’s giants, he didn’t fancy fighting for his place, but at Lyon is the protagonist. An article in the Guardian details his lax attitude at times and reasons why a rumoured return to Manchester might not be wise for Depay.
Lyon manager Bruno Genesio dropped Depay for their game at Angers last month, he came on and scored the winner but was still not impressed with not starting, so much so that he had some words for Genesio. “I do not feel like I am a player who is respected,” he said. “I do the job each time, I have to accept decisions but I deserve more than this I should start every match.”
However, the dressing room sided with the boss and when he dressed down Depay for his comments, it was reportedly approved by the squad. There are fears that Depay is one of those players whose confidence does cross-over to arrogance, which has been backed up this year to the delight of Lyon supporters. Although, it is the Dutchman who owes Lyon rather than the other way around. Drifting through the motions on the United bench, the perennial chasers of PSG gambled and it has been paying off, for club and country.
Koeman will hope he can continue to nurture his attacking talisman, as the spine of the side is looking impressive again. A consistent Gini Wijnaldum in midfield, Daley Blind and Matias De Ligt providing valuable experience and youthful determination, then Virgil Van Dijk leading by example. The Liverpool defender is moulding into a world-class centre back, not Dejan Lovren level, actually one of the world’s best. He showed he can chip in with a vital goal as well, he is without the doubt the face of the new era of ‘Oranje’ and will be a tough man to take on in Portugal next summer.
The manager, a former Dutch midfield maestro is easing in a new generation. Only losing two of his 10 games in charge, he’s brought Holland back into discussion as one of Europe’s best. He’s also shown at Southampton especially, he has an eye for an emerging talent. There were 11 players under-25 in the squad this international break and just two over-29, with England the only nation having a younger average age squad in the top ten ranked Nations League sides.
England, Switzerland and Portugal are the other semi-finalists and after winning the toughest group of Division A, there should be overwhelming belief that they can beat any of their opponents on their way to Nations League glory. The fear to play for the shirt is gone, the belief they can beat the best is back and with someone with the experience and knowledge of what it takes to do the national side proud, like Koeman, a first honour since Euro 1988 is up for grabs.
Sam Tonks 