Van Bommel and Oranje: a 100% match

Mark van Bommel will have a remarkable scoop against Iceland, this Saturday. He’s been an international since 2000 but the up coming game will be the first big tournament qualifier where he’s actually a starter.

Since 2000, there was always something. The EC2000 came just to early for the Fortuna developed midfielder. The WC 2002 was sadly missed by the Oranje players and their “success” coach Van Gaal. In 2003 he was injured when Oranje secured the qualifications by beating Scotland 6-0.

In 2005 in Prague, team manager Van Basten didn’t need Van Bommel to secure the WC ticket en in 2007 Van Bommel had retired from Oranje, for as long as Van Basten was in charge.

“When you look at it like this, it is remarkable, yeah…” says the 32 year old. “I’m really content with this series. Our results are great. And we do play ok football and I’ve got clarity about my role. I’m in a phase where I highly enjoy being part of Oranje. We’re a good match now…”

Last summer, he made his comeback and did feel the pressure. That had nothing to do with his return among his mates. “Most players were buddies and with some my ties were always very tight. It’s was mainly the pressure I put on myself, I wanted to perform and show the world I was able to do this.”

Looking back, he’s glad Oranje had to play Russia, the opponent that kicked Oranje out of the EC. “We wanted to take revenge. The whole team was so motivated. Arshavin was totally played out of the game. We didn’t allow him to shine and that gave us all lots of satisfaction.”

“We won our first game against Macedonia and I had the assist on Van der Vaart who scored the 2-0. In the third game I scored the winner, against Norway. When you come back like this, there is no more debate left.”

“I do think there would have been a national discussion if I’d snatched a yellow or red card. People would have said: there he is again. And people would have started about my family ties with Van Marwijk. Now, it was limited to typical players’ jokes in the dressing room, you know… “Mark, what time is lunch tomorrow” and all that…”

“Bert and myself act normally towards one another. He’s been my father in law since my time with him at Fortuna. No one swallows his words when they want to talk about him in my presence. When I’m with Oranje, he’s the coach. At home, he’s grandpa.”

Van Bommel’s role in Oranje is clear. Van Bommel is the holding midfielder, servicing the four creative lads up front. “These chaps need to decide the game. Nigel and myself take care of balance. We push up when we can, or we support defense when we must.”

With Marco van Basten, Van Bommel had continuous debates about his tasks. This resulted in a web of misunderstandings and distrust. Van Bommel doesn’t want to talk about it anymore. When asked about Van Basten’s self-analysis when he quit the Ajax job, Van Bommel mumbles: “He could have made that decision two years earlier, as fas as I’m concerned.”

“But I want to look ahead. Everyone at Oranje has clarity about his role. In the top, it’s about the team. Barca has proven that again. They can beat every team because they play as one. With one goal, one mind.”

“Eto’o, Henry and Messi defend too and work hard. These are very skilled players but they can think as a part of the team. That’s not easy. And you know how it works. If Messi supports his midfield and defense, they will do two extra steps to make sure Messi can shine. You need that mateship and that dynamic in a team to create momentum. At a WC, with seven games to go, you simply need that.”

“So, whenever you have lesser day, the team can still reach the minimum level of quality. And that’s exactly what German teams can do. They can end a bad game with a draw. Oranje would normally be sent home. Look at the WC2006 and the EC2008. We played great games, but with one lesser game we’re out. This time around, I think we can change that.”

Analysing Oranje, he sees a team with forwards who work hard. “The whole team puts forward pressure and wants the ball back. It happens with conviction and discipline. And whenever one player snoozes off, the coaches and the players will wake him up immediately. I even think that the deception of the EC, with that one horrible game, is a great motivator now.”

And what about the shenanigans between Sneijder and Van Persie? With that free-kick against Russia. Those moments could break that momentum. “Both looked back at that and commented on it. They both know they didn’t handle that too smartly. And when Van Marwijk had his first talk with the players, he immediately addressed that.”

“Frank de Boer told us his experiences with the EC2000. With that horrible semi finals against Italy, in which we missed two penalties. He says that that hangover lingered too long in the group, which eventually cost us the qualification for 2002. So, he really emphasized to quickly forget the past and work towards the future. It was really quiet when he talked. It made an impression.”

“I think we have one of the strongest teams in the world. We would play for the title in the Spanish and English league, for sure. I know we don’t play top nations in this qualification, but you still have to win the games. I want to win the World Cup now. I’m happy to trade in my Champions League medal of 2006.”

After the summer, Van Bommel meets Louis van Gaal as his new coach at Bayern. The Bundesliga is going to experience quite something with the former AZ and Ajax coach. “I think so and I hope so. Van Gaal can play dominant and attacking football like no other. Most clubs in Germany play defensively. Or should I say negative… When we change that at Bayern, the Bundesliga will pay attention and I’m sure more clubs will follow.