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Arjen Robben back at last…

May 30th, 2008 | By: Jan | 16 Comments »

In the 70est minute of Holland - Denmark, Arjen Robben starts another one of those penetrating runs. Typical for the youngster from Groningen. When he reaches the touch line, his cross reaches the foot of Sneijder. The Madrid midfielder sees his shot go over the goal, via the cross bar.

A typical contribution from Robben. In his 32nd international he did as much good as bad. He had five good actions and a crucial part in Oranje’s first and only goal. Robben gave the final soulful pass to Ruud van Nistelrooy. But, one way or another, one always expects more when Robben, with ball at his feet, takes on opponents.

Robben played his first game in the new Oranje, with the 4-2-3-1. Perfect for him, it allows him more freedom than his winger role in the 4-3-3. Robben loves coming to the center of the pitch and is always threatening when he can roam at his own leisure.

Still, it doesn’t seem like Robben has totally convinced Van Basten that he is the man. The competition is just too much. Ibrahim Afellay played a strong game against Ukraine, while Ryan Babel is also in good form. And then we’re not even mentioning Robin van Persie.

But, a starting position is not even the most important for Robben now. The good news is that he is fit and part of Oranje again. It’s been a while that Dutch fans saw him play without any pains.

That took quite some hard work at Madrid, and the many tests he went through finally showed his lower back is the cause of his woes. “My back isn’t flexible enough for my profession. I got all sort of pains and trouble at other places in my body and doctors would focus on that but it was actually my back that caused it all. It was a tough time. Most people kept on asking about my fitness. It really got annoying. Although I can understand them, of course, but I didn’t want to be drawn into it all the time. I just wanted to play and talk about football.”

When Robben made his debut in 2003, he had just celebrated his 19th birthday. His frail body till now has always blocked a shining career in Oranje. His last international game was in October 2007. First he came onto the pitch as a sub and had to make place later already, injured. He had to let 5 matches pass before he could play again. His last full 90 minutes he played in March 2007.

It even led to a clash with team manager Van Basten. Robben complained that Marco van Basten wasn’t really interested in the Madrid signing because he never called. This misunderstanding was quickly history. Robben picked up the phone and made peace with his coach.

The winger made a deal with Van Basten. First he would play nine full games for Madrid before Van Basten would consider selecting him. After his impressive last phase with the Spanish champs, it wasn’t a surprise that Van Basten would embrace Robben again within the orange camp.

Robben made his return yesterday, but the words he spoke earlier rang true after the game. “We have enough skills and experience to play an impressive EC, but who knows where we are now. One can tell only after we actually started the tournament.”

Tags: Afellay, Engelaar, Euro 2008, Oranje, Robben, Van Basten

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Comments

By TIM | May 30th, 2008 at 11:07 am

IT is best for orange to start Robben. HE has earned it over Babel and Afellay.

Posted from Canada

By Ryan | May 30th, 2008 at 11:13 am

Robben played decent yesterday, I think he deserves a starting spot regardless of Van Persie’s fitness.

You cannot go wrong with Robben, Van Nistelrooy, Van Persie.
This is a stunning attack, with Sneijder and Van Der Vaart playing behind I do not understand how we are not more dangerous??

Posted from United States

By Rob | May 30th, 2008 at 11:42 am

Robben has to start - he’s the only player in the Dutch side who can pick the ball up on the break and do it all himself. The guy was great at the World Cup (only him and Van Persie turned up) and has been great for Madrid when fit. For Oranje to not start Robben would be like Portugal not starting Ronaldo - it simply cannot happen. Babel can make an impact from the bench. Affelay can take over from De Zeeuw, or push back Sneijder and play in an attacking spot.

Posted from Japan

By richard | May 30th, 2008 at 12:38 pm

Robben is a good player–but my impression of both he and van persie in the world cup is that they each wanted to do too much with the ball individually and neither seemed to have any chemistry with RVN, who is a guy that needs good service. Too much dribbling, not enough ball movement and creativity. Both robben and RVP have matured, so here’s hoping that this group can develop more cohesion in attack and score more than 1 goal a game. I think the Dutch clearly have to.

Posted from United States

By Robert | May 30th, 2008 at 12:40 pm

It is the push back of Sneijder that I would hate to see happening but what a problem to have.I think he is just a much better player when his job is in attack. Vaart looked good playing the number 10 role.
Offense is set for years to come with Babel (the kid is only 21!) and Huntelaar left in waiting. Not bad.
It is behind that where problems start. De Zeeuw should move to a better club and play a few years in a stronger competition. He has the mind-set and the tools but lacks experience. Engelaar pretty much the same situation. I don’t understand why he made his decision for next year before the EC. This could be a great showcase for him.

By Samuel Knight (Oudegeest) | May 30th, 2008 at 1:07 pm

Nederland needs to use subs more aggresively.

Babel, Van P, RvN, etc. great. But plan for a few subs in the 2nd half.

Change your attack.

Can’t say I agree with the comparison with Ronaldo though. He’s cranked up 2 huge campaigns in a row. Big difference between Robben and Ronaldo - Ronaldo can shoot from far away.

That’s also Van P’s strength - long shooting.

Wou

Posted from United States

By goose | May 30th, 2008 at 1:44 pm

today Tim deCler got injured..doenst look too good,

Posted from Netherlands

By Miguel Rosado | May 30th, 2008 at 2:30 pm

@richard: I totally agree with you. The reason Ruud couldn’t score more goals in WC ‘06 is because he was always substituted with 25′ left and because Robben and Persie played for themselves and the only time Robben passed the ball to Ruud he scored.

By Stasio | May 30th, 2008 at 3:56 pm

Forza Azzuri

Camronessi-Toni-Di Natale

With Cassano n Del Piero on the bench.

This is the real attack to fear, hope your team is scared.

Italia 06
Camponi del mondo

By Caleb | May 30th, 2008 at 4:24 pm

Off topic: A short time ago we were talking about penalty kicks and the Cruijff’s famous two person penatly, but apparently he wasn’t the first to do that!

http://www.theoffside.com/leagues/dutch-eredivisie/origins-of-the-infamous-1982-cruyff-penalty.html

Posted from Canada

By Bart | May 30th, 2008 at 5:00 pm

What was the code for the predictor thingy again? I don’t know how to search previous articles that aren’t on the main page. Thanks

Posted from Canada

By Michel-Olivier | May 30th, 2008 at 5:21 pm

@ Caleb
thierry henry and pires tried to do it against man city, however it went horribly wrong.

Posted from United States

By Jan | May 30th, 2008 at 5:38 pm

@Bart: You can track back when you’re at the home page by clicking the “past archive” drop down menun in the lower right corner of the page. I don’t know the code now, but someone will post it here

Posted from Australia

By Jan | May 30th, 2008 at 10:50 pm

@Stasio: hey man…

I don’t think we fear the Italians… hahahaaa…despite your strikers we don’t see the Italians as a team to fear. Italy plays as if Italy is scared. We respect your strikers. A lot. They’re really good.

So are ours.

But at this level, players are fearless I think.

I think you are mirroring, as they say in shrink land. Which means you are scared and you are projecting that emotion subsconsiously on us. But, no…we don’t fear any opponent. Not Portugal, not Germany and certainly not Italy!

We do fear Gattuso when he wears his speedo’s, but I suppose you do too?

Posted from Australia

By Jan | May 30th, 2008 at 11:26 pm

De Cler is injured at his knee. I don’t know the term but he twisted it at training, and the hollow part at the back of the knee is “irritated”. The medical staff will further assess his situation Saturday.

What’s the rules, my friends, when De Cler appears to be out for the EC? Can you still get a replacement in?

Posted from Australia

By Caleb | May 31st, 2008 at 11:22 am

Jan - I believe when one of your squad players gets injured before the EC you can call in a replacement.. I’m not sure though. By the way, nice psycho-analytical response to Stasio

Michel-Olivier - Yeah I remember that, it was worth a good laugh. We were talking about that in a previous post so I thought I’d show that link.

Bart - I think we need a new league to be created for our bloggers group. The friendly competition is over and now that the real competition begins we have to create a new group.

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