Van Gaal: The game against Argentina is the real start to the World Cup
Louis van Gaal says he does not expect a thrilling match between the Netherlands and Argentina at the World Cup.
and
Argentinawill face each other in the
World Cupquarter-finals at Lusail Stadium on Friday.
In a pre-match news conference on Thursday, Van Gaal said he has learned that you can not always play attacking football and does not expect an exciting match on Friday.
"It is much more difficult to play as offensively as Ajax used to play, if you fail to see that, it is very difficult to understand this is the way things go.
"When, in 2014, I started developing the more defensive system, people criticised me. Now, half the world is playing that kind of football. Football has evolved in that direction."
Argentina and the Netherlands have played six times at the World Cup including the final in 1974. Their last meeting was in the 2014 semi-final, when Argentina beat Van Gaal’s side on penalties.
Van Gaal said:
"I've just provided you with a wonderful answer to your question: football is no longer being played as in 1988 or 1974 or whatever.
"Then it was an open game, which it no longer is. You can have all sorts of opinions about that, but this is simply the way football has evolved.
"It is always possible to have decisive moments that you remember years afterwards, like Bergkamp's goal, so undoubtedly we will continue to remember this forever."
The Netherlands star Memphis Depay told reporters that he has a similar view to Van Gaal.
"The game is going to be decided in moments.
"I believe we can catch a moment and go through. We obviously want to play a good game, but there's also going to be a tactical game, I think."
Van Gaal also said that their World Cup starts for real against Argentina.
"Argentina in my view are a top country with top football players in their squad,"
Van Gaal said.
"The tournament actually is starting tomorrow for real for us.
"Of course, I don't want to downplay the importance of other countries we've been able to beat, but Argentina and possibly Brazil in the next round are quite different from the countries we've played in the groups and in the last 16."
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