A Unique Sight in the Euro: The Netherlands’ Elegant Defender Turns Tough and Shines

The Euro 2024 match between the Netherlands and Poland, ending in a 2-1 victory for the Dutch, has captured the attention of football fans across Europe, especially in Italy. This game featured several Serie A players from both teams, with three Inter Milan players making significant contributions.

Among them was Piotr Zieliński, an upcoming transfer to Inter, who provided an assist. Zieliński, known for scoring crucial goals at the Qatar World Cup, has accumulated 12 goals in 91 national team appearances, a rather modest tally. However, in five Euro matches, he has already notched up two assists—one against Sweden in the previous tournament and another against the Netherlands this time around.

Denzel Dumfries, Inter Milan’s flying wing-back, had a rocky start with a blunder that led to Poland's opening goal, mirroring Federico Dimarco’s error for Italy the previous day. However, Dumfries quickly regained his composure, delivering two key passes, completing three tackles, taking two shots, and making one interception. Impressively, he achieved a 100% dribbling success rate, showcasing his skills and prompting fans to remark, “Even Zhang Fei can embroider!” But the standout player, as voted by Dutch fans, was Stefan de Vrij.

The Unexpected Hero: Stefan de Vrij

Many fans were surprised to see De Vrij in the starting lineup, as he spent the entirety of the Qatar World Cup on the bench. With several high-caliber central defenders in the Dutch squad, De Vrij, who rose to prominence early in his career, had become a substitute in recent years. A pre-match poll by Dutch television asked fans to choose between De Vrij and Matthijs de Ligt for the starting spot, with De Vrij receiving a meager 20% of the vote. When the starting lineup was announced, social media was flooded with angry comments from Dutch fans, calling Ronald Koeman’s decision to trust De Vrij a foolish one.

However, De Vrij delivered a near-perfect performance. He was the king of tackles, leading with four successful tackles. He dominated aerial duels, winning seven out of eight. He recovered possession four times to launch quick counter-attacks. Remarkably, he also served as a crucial playmaker from his center-back position, completing 68 out of 72 passes, with a 75% success rate on long balls. His performance earned widespread acclaim on social media, with many fans admitting, “De Vrij is truly a revelation.”

A Classy Defender

Why is there so much criticism of De Vrij? The answer lies in his performance. Despite his numerous tackles and aerial duels, De Vrij’s defensive style is unique in that he rarely commits fouls or gets fouled. Some wonder if his reluctance to foul is due to a fear of conceding penalties. However, in the current Dutch system and at Inter Milan, center-backs often operate outside the penalty area. De Vrij’s preference for clean, strategic defending rather than rough, all-out aggression is a defining characteristic of his game.

This has led many Dutch fans to believe that De Vrij lacks the toughness and ferocity of De Ligt. Before the tournament, De Telegraaf described De Vrij and Dumfries as “atypical players” in their profiles of the Inter Milan duo. Dumfries, as a wing-back, excels at positioning, heading, and finishing, but not at dribbling or penetrating runs, earning the label of an “H-o-M” (Hit or Miss) player. De Vrij, on the other hand, is a “technical defender” who avoids the physical confrontations and foul-heavy tactics often associated with the center-back position.

The Art of Defense

De Vrij’s elegance on the field is mirrored in his personal life, where he enjoys playing the piano and listening to opera, belying his imposing physical presence. This refined demeanor translates into his style of play, where he relies on positioning, awareness, and experience rather than brute force. During the 2023-24 Serie A season, De Vrij had the lowest foul rate and one of the lowest rates of being fouled among all center-backs with over five appearances, highlighting his clean, effective style.

This approach has led to a perception among some fans that De Vrij is not a true “hard man” of defense, who should be able to mix it up physically. However, his performance against Poland demonstrated that a refined, strategic approach can be just as effective as the more traditional rough-and-tumble methods. De Vrij's ability to defend without resorting to fouls or reckless tackles is a testament to his skill and intelligence on the field.

Despite the initial skepticism, De Vrij's performance was instrumental in securing the Netherlands' victory. His clean, effective style is a breath of fresh air in a footballing world that often equates physicality with quality. By proving his worth on such a significant stage, De Vrij has demonstrated that elegance and toughness are not mutually exclusive on the football pitch.

As the tournament progresses, De Vrij’s role will be crucial for the Dutch team. His ability to combine technical skill with defensive solidity makes him an invaluable asset. The criticism he faced before the match against Poland now seems misplaced, as he continues to prove that a "gentle" defender can also be a formidable presence on the field.

The match between the Netherlands and Poland not only highlighted the skills of various Serie A players but also shed light on the unique qualities of Stefan de Vrij. His clean, effective defensive style, coupled with his ability to contribute to the team’s offensive play, sets him apart from his peers. Despite the initial doubts and criticism, De Vrij's performance has earned him widespread acclaim and demonstrated that a refined approach to defending can be just as effective as traditional methods. As the Euro 2024 continues, De Vrij's contributions will undoubtedly be pivotal to the Dutch team's success, proving that elegance and resilience can coexist in the beautiful game.