EURO 2016 hosts France, kicked off their preparations, winning 3-2  away  in Holland on a night who will be remembered by both teams and a whole country as the emotional tribute to the late great Dutch player, Yohan Cruyff.

Netherlands found themselves two down, before the planned applause on 14 minutes for the legendary number fourteen player( Antoine Griezmann 6th and  Olivier Giroud 13th). Memphis Depay curling delivery found Luuk de Jong(47th)who scored, although replay showed that it was handball; after the break Ibrahim Afellay put  Holland on level(86th) but PSG’s Blaise Mathuidi, captain for this game and wearing the number 14 jersey tuck home a late winner.

It’s not easy to rate players when they play a friendly and furthermore an emotional one; several of them they also  have Champions League to think about plus national Cups. OK here they are :

NETHERLANDS

Jasper Cillessen  5/10

Not at ease near the ball; should do better for the first goal and he may be disappointed letting Mathuidi’s winner pass past him.Made two smart saves during the first half(Payet).

Joel Veltman 5/10

Had little impact on the game and straggled defensively; his only contribution was a whipped cross, the rest….

Jeffrey Bruma 5,5/10

Had a lot to do with Martial’s and Payet’s pressing and was lucky not to concede a penalty vs Mathuidi.He made some good defensive clearances though.

Virgil van Dijk 5/10

Southampton’s reliable  centre-back wasn’t his usual self; he almost scored an own goal, was enable to deal with Giroud and was taken off at half time

Daley Blind 6/10

He wasn’t at ease dealing with Griezmann during the first half; he was much better after the subbing of the Atletico player and was one of the rare Dutch players able to defend.

Jetro Willems  6,5/10

The young  left-back showed some good  deeds, offering support  to Promes and delivering a fine cross onto the boot of Klaassen but wasted a free-kick  chance when the score was 2-1

Jordie Clasie 5/10

He couldn’t deal with the strength of the french midfield;Mathuidi and Pogba were a handful and he was subbed by Depay at the break.

Wesley Sneijder  5/10

Played some good balls but failed to score from a long range set-piece: left the pitch after 35 minutes due to injury.

Davy Klaassen 6/10

A threat for Mandanda but alas he lacked precision to finish; not in a good day?

Luuk de Jong  6,5/10

Good relationship with Promes  and held the ball quite well; scored just after the interval but replay showed that he should be ruled out for handball.

Quincy Promes 7/10

Holland’s biggest threat, no doubt; he ran at the France defence , produced a couple of good moves and showed some good dispositions.

SUBSTITUTES

Riechedly Bazoer 6/10     Memphis Depay 6,5/10  Ibrahim Afellay 7/10   Georginio Wijnaldum 5/10  Patrick van Aanholt  5/10  Vincent Janseen 5/10

FRANCE

Steve Mandanda  6/10

In to replace the Bleus and Tottenham captain  Hugo Lloris (rested),  he was rarely called into action; he dealt well  with Promes speculative  drive from distance but couldn’t do much to stop Afellay’s goal. Nevertheless he should be more commanding for the Jong’s one.

Christophe Jallet 7/10

A constant threat ; playing on France’s right flank got into a number of dangerous situations for the Dutch team. He may have been beaten once or twice from Promes but played a part in  France’s second goal. Good crossing.

Raphael Varane  6,5/10

He made a couple of good clearances  and was commanding in defense.

Laurent Konscielny 5,5/10

A bit uneasy  dealing with Promes’ speed and failed to stay close to Jong allowing him to test Mandanda on close range.

Patrice Evra 5,5/10

A quiet evening for the Juventus man.He had little to do defensively before getting subbed  at half time.

Lassana Diarra  6/10

He helped France’s defense  by making several  well-timed interventions but there was no real danger as the Dutchmen weren’t a 100% in the game. Got subbed at half-time by N’Golo Kanté.

Paul Pogba 7/10

The Juventus jewel  brought the ball out from the back with ease  and helped bridge the gap between the defence and the attack. He asserted himself well and made a good impact  in the game with Matuidi.

Antoine Griezmann 7,5/10

He scored an early goal on a set piece and never stopped harassing the Dutch defense.Replaced by Martial at the break.

Dimitri Payet 7,5/10

The West Ham player of the year(?) was given a chance to shine for his country national team by Deschamps and he didn’t let it pass. After a poor beginning he showed his good form and made a good impact by  running at the defense, linking well with his teammates and winning the corner who led France’s second goal.

Olivier Giroud 7/10

The Arsenal’s man knew that he had to outdo himself in the absence  of Karim Benzema, France’s  number 1 choice.Held the ball well and linked France’s attack correctly. Scored a well-done goal.

Blaise Mathuidi  8/10

Captaining the side in the  abscence of Hugo Lloris the Parisian wearing the number 14 jersey assisted Giroud’s goal just before the one minute applause to honour the Dutch legend. One of the best players on the pitch, produced several charging runs ,and finished the game by scoring the winner.

SUBSTITUTES

Lucas Digne 5/10   N’Golo Kanté 6,5/10  Anthony Martial 6/10   André-Pierre Gignac 5,5/10  Moussa Sissoko 5/10

HIGHLIGHTS

Categories: Analysis, EURO 2016, opinion

Tags: Euro 2016 Friendies, Holland vs France 2-3, holland vs France Players ratings