Cruyff calls for more attack from Dutch

Dutch icon John Cruyff believes the Netherlands need to press opponents higher up the pitch when they compete in Euro 2012.

Having seen his nation beaten 2-1 at home by Bulgaria on Saturday, the former Ajax and Barcelona star believes Bert van Marwijk’s side need some tactical alterations if they are to be contenders in Poland and Ukraine.

“You’re asking for problems if your wingers are not playing high enough (up the pitch),” Cruyff wrote in his De Telegraaf column.

“Because (Rafael) van der Vaart and (Robin) van Persie hardly got to the by-line, they produced very few dangerous crosses, and there were thus no second balls (against Bulgaria).

“That’s why we hardly saw any shots on target from long range.

“Netherlands have two friendly games in which to tinker. In the European Championship, the Portuguese will play like Chelsea played against Bayern (in the Champions League final), and Bulgaria did on Saturday in Amsterdam.

“I hope for a good European Championships for the Dutch team.”

The Netherlands get their Euro 2012 campaign underway on June 9 when they face Denmark at Metalist Stadium in Kharkiv.