Two opposite football philosophies confront each other here on Sunday when the attack-minded Netherlands take on Serbia and Montenegro, one of the teams with the best defensive records in the tournament
LEIPZIG (Germany): Two opposite football philosophies confront each other here on Sunday when the attack-minded Netherlands take on Serbia and Montenegro, one of the teams with the best defensive records in the tournament.
Dutch coach Marco van Basten, until not so long ago one of the finest strikers in the game, is planning to stick to a courageous 4-3-3 formation while in Germany.
During the run-up to the team's Group C opening match, he has asked his players to focus on ball possession while encouraging his fast-paced wingers, Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie, to make a run on the flanks and feed plenty of crosses for Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Serbia and Montenegro coach Ilija Petkovic has different ideas. He wants to ensure his team does not concede any goals and then hit its opponents on the break.
Both strategies, while radically different, have yielded similarly positive results at the qualifying stage. Holland gained a berth in Germany 2006 thanks to an impressive run of 10 wins and two draws.
Serbia and Montenegro were also unbeaten during the qualifying stage. But perhaps more strikingly, they did so by conceding just one goal in 12 matches.
"The Netherlands have a fantastic attack while we have a great defence. This is the key to the clash," said Petar Radenkovic, a retired Yugoslav goalkeeper who used to play his football in Germany.
Both sides have appeared equally optimistic about their chances of victory ahead of Sunday's clash.
Given that the so-called 'Group of Death' also comprises two-times world champions Argentina and Africa's latest revelation, the Ivory Coast, securing three points in their first match is crucial for both sides.
"The fact that we are in such a strong group means we are not going to have time to grow during the tournament. We are going to be there from the very first minute," van Nistelrooy said after his team's training session in Freiburg.
The Manchester United striker said Serbia and Montenegro's biggest strength is its organisation and strong defence. He was also quick to point out that strikers Mateja Kezman and Savo Milosevic can be lethal in attack.
Though they failed to qualify for the last World Cup as well as the 2004 European Championships, Serbia and Montenegro are not suffering from an inferiority complex and can rely on the services of one of the best midfielders in the game, Inter Milan's Dejan Stankovic.
"We are very self-confident and optimistic. We fear nobody and have a realistic chance of winning on Sunday," said Milosevic, who was battling with Danijel Luboja for a place alongside Kezman in Leipzig.
Holland suffered a string of injuries in their preparation for the tournament but should have all players fit enough Sunday, with the possible exception of veteran Phillip Cocu.
The Balkan squad is without Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic, who is suspended, and may still be reeling from a minor controversy concerning Dusan Petkovic.
The coach's son had been asked to replace injured forward Mirko Vucinic but was forced to stay behind amid accusations of favouritism from the country's media.
This means they will have just 22 players at their disposal in Germany. Holland have beaten Serbia and Montenegro four times out of four since 1990. Their last clash came at the Euro 2000 tournament in Rotterdam when they thrashed then-Yugoslavia 6-1.
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