BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal says Friday’s clash with neighbours Belgium is more about World Cup preparation than Nations League ambition as he tries out a new tactical game plan in Brussels.
The teams meet in a Nations League A match at the Stade Roi Baudouin, where Van Gaal will continue to prepare the squad for this year's World Cup.
"Belgium is second in the FIFA rankings and we are 10th. We are therefore going to play against a better team with a very high level formation," Van Gaal told reporters on Thursday. "We always play to win but it's a match that serves above all as preparation for the World Cup. Everything is done with a view to the World Cup.""We have trained to press differently. Belgium play differently to the Danes and the Germans, so it requires a different tactical approach.
"The best team will win, not especially the one with the best players. That's also why I called a large group at the end of the season. To view different players and see if they have their place in the squad.Memphis Depay and Virgil van Dijk this week expressed surprise that stalwart Georginio Wijnaldum was left out of the squad five months out from the World Cup in Qatar.
"Everyone is allowed to have their own opinion. But I don't think Memphis was appointed to make that choice."
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