Koeman demands greater defensive solidity as Oranje prepare for Morocco; Gakpo will play

Koeman expects the Netherlands to be more defensively solid against Morocco after identifying areas for improvement during the group stage. The Dutch coach praised his side's overall performances but said they need to recover more quickly after losing the ball and remain more compact. "We've worked on that extensively again," he said. "I expect us to do it better." Cody Gakpo is ready to play for the Netherlands against Morocco.

“I don’t get the impression that the sad news he has received will significantly affect his performance,” said national coach Ronald Koeman at his final press conference ahead of the World Cup round of 16 at Monterrey Stadium. Gakpo’s partner lost their baby during pregnancy.

The couple announced the news on Saturday, but the players and technical staff of the Dutch national team had already been informed. “We did everything within our power,” Koeman said. “He was given the freedom to leave the hotel and be with his family. He handled it very well and in a mature way.”

During Euro 2008, Dutch international Khalid Boulahrouz suffered the loss of his newborn child shortly before the quarter-final against Russia. Then coach Marco van Basten discussed the situation with him, and Boulahrouz chose to play. The Netherlands were eventually eliminated after a 3–1 defeat in extra time.

“My assistant Ruud van Nistelrooij was there as well,” Koeman said, adding that the Netherlands will not wear mourning armbands against Morocco. “I spoke to him about it briefly. As I said, we have done what we could. We will not play with mourning bands, but we will be there for him.”

Oranje found the net ten times during the group stage but also let in four goals, a defensive record that is unlikely to be enough for a deep tournament run. Koeman acknowledged the concern. "That can cost you dearly," he said.

Koeman would have preferred to face Morocco later in the tournament. "In my opinion, both teams deserve to go far in this World Cup," said the national coach, whose contract is due to expire. "They play attacking football and have players with strong individual quality. Attacking teams also leave space behind. And we are very good at transitioning into attack. With our fast forwards, that is one of our strengths."

The Netherlands–Morocco match is scheduled to start at 7:00 a.m. local time in Guadalupe, with temperatures expected to rise above 30 degrees. The steel roof of Monterrey Stadium is expected to retain heat, adding to the conditions.

Morocco has been training in Mexico since Saturday, while the Dutch squad stayed in Kansas City until Sunday, where cooler weather followed recent thunderstorms. Koeman said his team has taken the conditions into account. “We have prepared well for the heat,” he said. “That is why we went early to New York and stayed in Kansas City.”

Oranje have not lost a World Cup match in regular time for more than two decades, with their last such defeat coming in 2006 against Portugal in the round of 16. Since then, their exits in 2014 and 2022 both came via penalty shootouts against Argentina.

Morocco also has recent experience with high-pressure shootouts, having eliminated Spain at the previous World Cup. Their goalkeeper, Yassine Bounou, has earned a reputation as one of the world’s most reliable penalty stoppers.

“I’ve said it many times,” Koeman said. “Taking a penalty in an important match is difficult to train for. The pressure is completely different when everyone is watching. We’ve trained a lot on penalties, with our players and with our goalkeeper. If necessary, I will also take that into account with my substitutions if there are good penalty takers on the bench in the final stages.”

The Moroccan national team is wary of Brian Brobbey ahead of the game. Brobbey has scored three goals so far in the tournament. “I know him from the Future Cup. He was already good then, had a big frame and was strong,” said head coach Mohamed Ouahbi at a press conference in Monterrey Stadium in Guadalupe. “We have a plan, but it is not focused only on him.”

Morocco is ranked sixth in the world, and the Netherlands seventh. “It doesn’t matter to me whether we are the favourites or they are. What matters is what happens on the pitch. So far, we have played well. Opponents respect us. Of course, we also respect the Netherlands. The Netherlands is a major football nation,” Ouahbi said.

Morocco’s squad features a number of players with links to Dutch football, including Ismael Saibari, Anass Salah-Eddine, Noussair Mazraoui and Sofyan Amrabat, with the latter three born in the Netherlands.

Ouahbi, who is 49 and was born in Belgium, said he understands the dual-nationality dynamic. “I know what it means. I also have Belgian nationality, but I am Moroccan as well. It’s a special feeling,” he said. He added that he has not singled out those players ahead of the match. “We shouldn’t overstate it. They don’t need to dwell on being Dutch as well. They are responsible players who want to win for Morocco. It’s not about doing something against the Netherlands.”

Netherlands predicted lineup: Verbruggen; Dumfries, Van Hecke, Van Dijk, Van de Ven; Gravenberch, Reijnders, De Jong; Summerville, Brobbey, Gakpo.