Did 2 really long threads so this time I'm just gonna address a specific tactical shape of a team. The Dutch of 2014, beat Spain 5-1 playing in a 3-4-3 but were able to overload a Spanish side filled with midfielders. How? This was a Van Gaal masterclass.

The 2 lineups. You can clearly see the number of Spanish players in the middle who love to keep possession. To press or manmark these players, there were bodies required in that area without losing defensive shape and give unnecessary space to the Spanish players.

Van Gaal's solution? Sneijder had a natural tendency to drift into the 10 position so he used that and imposed one strategy himself. While on the defensive mode, he urged one of his centre backs to push forward to press while both wingbacks tucked in. This created a 4-4-2 diamond

He didn't have to worry defending wide as the fullbacks were the only threat Spain imposed from wide positions which each of their wingbacks could match easily. This meant he could allow this system to match Spain in midfield, win balls immediately and hit them hard.

Please note that the Dutch used this shape only when they didn't have the ball. Also here I've showed De Vrij stepping forward in midfield but during the course of the game, any of the 3 CBs could be seen stepping forward in midfield. Robben and RvP placed themselves wider

A stroke of genius from Van Gaal. What resulted was the most humiliating defeat of a defending champion in world cup history. They suffocated Spain to disrespectful standards. What a game it was, proper celebration of a man who was obsessed with football more than anything.