Preparing for France in peace and quiet

Our midfield…

The preparation towards Italy was hectic, to say the least. First Babel’s injury, then Arjen Robben. Rumors in the press off Van Persie injuring Sneijder and the conclusion that Robin wouldn’t be fit in time. Who to play? How to play? A draw would be celebrated as win. We all know the result of that game, though and that result gave Oranje to essential elements: peace and clarity.

That serenity was disturbed on Thursday, however, when the group realized the impact of the spanking they gave the world champs: the press conference.

More than a hundred media reps gathered to witness the press conference of Marco van Basten and captain Van der Sar.

Marco wasn’t surprised by the attention (”I think we didn’t do too bad against Italy”), but the manager immediately put a lid on the optimism.

“To win this tournament you have to play six great games. We only played one. So let’s keep it real.”

Van Basten doesn’t have a lot to hide anymore. The line up for Italy was kept a total secret, even for the players. Against the vice-world champs the former AC Milan star will only change little details in the team tasks.

Obviously, the recovered Robben and Van Persie will dream about a starting position, but there is no real reason to change this winning team.

The Italians have a different atmosphere in their trainings camp. Rumors say Donadoni will appoint another captain (Del Piero) and change his team on seven spots. One of the sports papers in Italy even shouted: We are scared! This says it all. The difference between winning and losing.

The Oranje squad couldn’t care less. The next big fixture is about to start and the players know it will be a tough one again. Van Persie: “I think France is stronger than Italy.”

It seems a clash of generations. In the French team, the older players still rule (Gallas, Makalele, Viera, Henry) while in Oranje the youngster lead (Sneijder, Robben, Van Persie, Van der Vaart).

Andre Ooijer (one of the older players): “If we screw up against France and exit the tournament early, that whole demonstration against Italy would be for nothing. We can’t except a lesser performance. We set the standard, now we have to consolidate!”

Here’s footage of Oranje’s training after the Italy match. Commentary in Dutch