The Netherlands face a familiar challenge on Friday evening, as they come up against one of the most exciting young talents in the Bundesliga. Konstantinos Karetsas, who is 18, has been drawing attention for his skill on the ball, and the expectations surrounding him at Borussia Dortmund and with Greece are very high.
A special talent on the ball
Karetsas is so gifted in possession that coach Niko Kovac has been willing to make an exception to his usual principles. Kovac is normally strict about defensive discipline, but he is prepared to overlook some of the Greek’s shortcomings out of the page when it comes to his work without the ball.
For a player of his age, that kind of trust says a lot. It shows how much the coaching staff values what he can produce going forward, even if his defensive game is still a work in progress.
What it means for the Dutch
For the Netherlands, the threat of a player like Karetsas means the defence will need to stay alert and avoid giving him time and space on the ball. Greece will be counting on their young star to make the difference in the final third.
Source: www.vi.nl
