XXL the Oranje registers a record number of shots, covers little ground

After the final Nations League matches on Tuesday evening, when the first international break XXL came to an end, journalist Bart Frouws of VI put pen to paper. It was time to take stock of an Orange side that was strikingly attacking but did little running.

Attacking figures surpass Europe

Of the 54 participating countries in the Nations League, the Netherlands recorded the most shots: 88 attempts. That gave Orange a comfortable lead over Switzerland and group‑mate Germany, who each had up to 79 shots. With this number the team stood above the rest of Europe.

Running distance and injury situation

At the same time, Orange belonged to the countries that ran the least, a striking contrast to the high shot volume. Despite the busy schedule, there was no clear increase in the number of injuries during matches.

After the bleak World Cup match against Morocco, in which Orange could hardly create anything offensively, attention turned to the intentions of the new national coach Xavi Hernández. The Spanish manager deliberately chose an attacking style of play, which became evident in the numbers.

Thus the Dutch national team recorded 161 ball contacts in the opponent’s penalty area. Only France surpassed this with 192 contacts, placing Orange among the most dangerous teams in the League.

The overview shows that the first international break XXL marks a phase in which Orange can operate both productively and efficiently, without an increase in injuries. This balance could be decisive for further development under Xavi’s leadership.