Home » Sport » Van Gaal: ‘Bergwijn is the equivalent of Robben and Van Persie when he plays like this’ | NOW

Van Gaal: ‘Bergwijn is the equivalent of Robben and Van Persie when he plays like this’ | NOW

Louis van Gaal saw two stars at the Orange on Friday evening during the beautiful 1-4 win over Belgium in the Nations League game in Brussels. The national coach mentioned Frenkie de Jong and Steven Bergwijn and even compared the attacker with Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie, who formed the striker couple during the bronze World Cup 2014 under Van Gaal.

“If Bergwijn plays as he did tonight, he will be the equivalent of Robben and Van Persie. And then with more speed,” said Van Gaal on Friday at his press conference in the King Baudouin Stadium. “He is a point of contact, does not lose a ball and also scores. What more could you want?”

The 24-year-old Bergwijn made the 0-1 after forty minutes in the 128th edition of the ‘Derby der Lage Landen’ and that was his fifth goal in his last four international matches under Van Gaal. The contrast with his performance at his club Tottenham Hotspur, where he barely plays and only scored three times last season, is enormous.

Van Gaal: “I also ask Steven: how is it possible that you play so well here at Orange? Then he says that I give him confidence. And I also put him in his power. He must have space.”

Steven Bergwijn celebrates the 0-1.

Steven Bergwijn celebrates the 0-1.

Steven Bergwijn celebrates the 0-1.

Photo: Getty Images



‘Memphis just scores two more goals’

Memphis Depay was the other striker in Van Gaal’s basic formation against Belgium. He even scored twice. The national coach thought he played less well than Bergwijn, but cherishes the return of the FC Barcelona attacker.

“Memphis just makes two more goals, and he always does that in Orange. What if he also gets in shape? At the World Cup in Brazil I had Robben and Van Persie, now I have Bergwijn and Memphis. I get a smile van.”

Van Gaal was also largely satisfied with the team performance of Orange against Belgium. “We played very well for many minutes. What can be improved? Focus. When we were leading 0-1 or 0-2, we started to think differently, and then the opponent gains hope again. That must not happen. When I saw goals, I became happy again.”

Nations League program Orange in June

  • June 3 in Brussels: Belgium-Netherlands 1-4
  • June 8 in Cardiff: Wales-Netherlands
  • June 11 in Rotterdam: Netherlands-Poland
  • June 14 in Rotterdam: Netherlands-Wales



Steven Bergwijn has scored five times in his last four international matches.

Steven Bergwijn has scored five times in his last four international matches.

Steven Bergwijn has scored five times in his last four international matches.

Steven Bergwijn has scored five times in his last four international matches.

Photo: Pro Shots




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