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#1 Ronald Koeman's tactical flexibility snatched three points from the Germans
Clearly, it was a game of two halves for the travelling Netherlands side. During the opening 45 minutes, the Dutch failed to create well-defined chances despite dominating the ball. Die Mannschaft, playing it compact, exposed Koeman's men on the counter-attack. However, the Nations League finalist managed to stay in the game after an average opening phase of play.
Right from the start of the second period, a different Dutch side was on display which showed a lot of industry and tactical nous in the execution. The Oranje chose to direct their press towards the left-flank where a pace-deprived Mathias Ginter was deployed.
In a rampant six-minute period, Babel and Wijnaldum combined multiple times to help their side score two goals. This was not a fluke, as Wijnaldum was brought in more centrally to intensify the pressing and aid Depay, Malen, and Babel in the process.
Seeking goals to reassert their winning status, Germany pushed forward to create chances. However, a solid defensive shift from Van Dijk allowed Depay to manufacture key passes for this national side's final two goals.
All of this was down to Koeman orienting the press towards Germany's right-side and allowing more positional freedom to Wijnaldum and De Jong. Substituting De Roon and Quincy Promes for Malen and Davy Propper proved to be a masterstroke from the former Southampton tactician.
To kill the game in the last 10 minutes, Nathan Ake was subbed on for Ryan Babel to form a defensive block to nullify German's final push. This move capped off a terrific night for Ronald Koeman tactics-wise. Maybe, Joachim Low should've tried a few things different himself.
