The Netherlands crushes Greece by seven... and Tijani and Summerville shine

The Dutch national team defeated its Greek guest 7-0, on Friday, in the fifth round of Group Two in the first level of the European Nations League.

The Dutch team raised its score to 11 points in first place, taking a big step closer to qualifying for the next round, before its confrontation with Germany in the final round next Monday.

On the other hand, the Greek team's balance is frozen at eight points in second place, and it is ahead of Germany on the difference in direct confrontations, and will face Serbia in the final round on Monday as well.

The Netherlands took the lead through Crescenso Summerville in the sixth minute, and six minutes later Tijani Reynders scored the second goal.

Reinders shined in the match and scored two more goals in the 18th and 33rd minutes, completing his personal hat-trick, establishing himself as the star of the match.

In the 40th minute, Joren Temper scored the fifth goal for the Dutch team, then the same player returned to score his second goal and the Netherlands' sixth goal in the 59th minute.

Donyell Malen concluded the Dutch team's seven goals by scoring a goal in the 61st minute.

Almost everyone came away with negative reviews. The harsh defeat at San Siro Stadium brought the French team back to reality, and to a situation it had not been accustomed to for a long time.

The reason was not simply the failure of the star-studded attacking line, despite the significant absence of Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé, but because France, with Zinedine Zidane on the bench, believed that it was on its way to becoming an invincible team.

But in the end, the difference was not made by Michael Oliset, Desiree Douai or Bradley Barcola, who were pushed by Zidane, but rather by the Italian striker Pio Esposito, who received wide praise and a high rating from the French newspaper L'Equipe.

The French sports newspaper discussed the collapse of its country's national team, and described the defeat as going beyond the issue of absences and defensive weaknesses.

This was Zidane's first loss, in a match that gave him, according to the newspaper's description, "a first glimpse of a bright future, then a scene from the end of the world."

Thus, the new coach moved from the “dream” to “the dark corners of bitter defeat.”

This was done by the Italian team, which succeeded in erasing all the positives that France offered, during a second half in which the French looked like ghosts.

But the responsibility also extended to Zidane, whom So Foot magazine called “Zizou the Messiah,” in reference to the exceptional aura that surrounds him in his country.

As for L'Equipe, it gave him four degrees in its evaluation, which is equivalent to five degrees according to the Italian evaluation scale.

Prominent journalist Vincent Duloc wrote, criticizing his decisions: “Theoretically, when the score becomes 2-1, the coach should change something and not wait until the difference expands to two goals.” But he did not do that, because he did not believe in his ability to turn the match around through the substitutes.”

She also criticized his decision to give three players the opportunity to make their debut, considering it an “unsuccessful idea,” which, on top of that, reflects a “surprisingly defeatist approach.”

He believed that Zidane could have brought in Eduardo Camavinga early, and perhaps used Warren Zaire Emery in the right-back position instead of Malo Gusto.

The conclusion of the evaluation is that Zidane “did not pass the test.”

In fact, a small number of his players succeeded in obtaining acceptable ratings.

Da Cunha received seven marks, while Adrien Rabiot, Rayan Chergui and Bradley Barcola each received five marks.

As for Malo Gusto, he lived what the newspaper described as “real torture,” and it contented itself with awarding him two degrees.

Le Parisien newspaper was more harsh, giving the right-back only a score and a half.

Gusteau became a symbol of a defense that turned into an “open construction workshop,” according to the descriptions of the newspapers “Le Monde” and “Le Figaro.” The latter stressed that “beautiful performance and will are not enough,” because the big teams are also required to be decisive and realistic in front of the goal. These are the qualities demonstrated by the Italian team, which Le Parisien described as “fierce.” The greatest praise went to Pio Esposito, whom L'Equipe described as "one of those strikers who remain in the memory of defenders." The newspaper explained the reasons for its admiration for the Italian striker, saying: “He fights and protects the ball as a veteran player does, and on top of that he scores goals.” This is precisely what he did against France, after he forced defenders Dayo Upamecano and Jacquet into a difficult evening. The newspaper painted a picture of his playing style, noting that he was standing in front, while others were positioned behind him, while maintaining his focus on scoring the equalizer in a style reminiscent of former Italian striker Filippo Inzaghi. But the most appropriate comparison, according to the newspaper, is with former Italian striker Christian Vieri, given his physical structure, scoring sense and numbers. She confirmed that Esposito has proven that he has the courage necessary to bear the great responsibility that awaits him, after he became the striker that all of Italy relied on. She concluded her praise by giving him eight marks out of ten, in an evaluation that reflects the extent of his influence in the match, and the great contrast between his brilliance and the failure of the French stars.

Joachim Loew, former coach of the German national team, has noticed a change in the atmosphere since Jurgen Klopp took charge of coaching the national team. Loew, who led Germany to win the 2014 World Cup, told Kicker sports magazine: “The entire nation wanted Jurgen Klopp as a coach. The new beginning is tangible, there are new players participating, and we are witnessing a departure towards a different era, and the atmosphere has become positive again.” Klopp replaced Julian Nagelsmann, who led Germany during a disappointing World Cup participation earlier this year. However, Klopp has only managed one win in his first four matches, which were in the UEFA Nations League. But Loew stressed that no one should expect miracles from the new coach, noting that “he needs time, and his team must find its identity.” Klopp's contract extends until after the 2030 World Cup, noting that the European Nations Championship (Euro 2028) precedes this date. Loew said: “The final ruling is always issued upon returning home after the conclusion of any tournament. In major tournaments you have to prove your worth.”