“Well, like I said, the players’ qualities determine how you play. Take Frenkie de Jong.
“We have really been looking to find ways to use his skills in the best manner. Where can he play best, for the team and to showcase his talent?
“Everyone was screaming ‘Frenkie is the biggest talent, etc etc.’ Well yes. But, where? In midfield? Ok, but which role?
“His quality is that he makes the forwards perform better. He is a wanderer, an adventurer, he’s always on the move, like a shark. With the ball, often, but also without the ball.
“So if you put him on 6, he’s away too often. But you need to give him freedom, otherwise, you can’t the best out of him.
“It wasn’t an easy puzzle, so I decided to play with two number 6s and only one attacking mid. And in this way, we can also dominate the half space, and force opponents to choose.”