France's World Cup winner Olivier Giroud believes Virgil van Dijk is a crucial "big brother" figure for the Netherlands, providing a vital defensive presence.
Giroud, speaking to BBC Sport, emphasized the importance of a strong defense, which he feels Van Dijk anchors for the Dutch.
Defensive Solidity and Team Balance
The former Chelsea striker also commented on the defensive capabilities of Germany's Antonio Rüdiger, whom he described as one of the toughest defenders he has played with. Giroud noted Rüdiger's intensity, comparing his training habits at Chelsea to his matchday performance, albeit with "a little less crazy" intensity.
"If he is in good condition, he is one of the best," Giroud said of Rüdiger, adding that the German defender forms a strong partnership with Jonathan Tah.
However, Giroud stressed that individual defensive talent is not enough. "What is most important with any defence however is the balance of the team," he stated. He explained that midfielders must protect the defense, especially against pacy opponents, and highlighted how this balance is achieved by teams like Argentina, where midfielders cover ground for Lionel Messi. Similarly, he cited the Netherlands' Frenkie de Jong and Brazil's Bruno Guimaraes and Casemiro as examples of midfielders who provide crucial defensive cover.
Giroud drew parallels to France's 2018 World Cup-winning squad, where midfielders N'Golo Kanté, Paul Pogba, and Blaise Matuidi all contributed defensively, with Kanté compensating for any gaps left. He noted that France's current team plays with a more offensive midfield setup, which will test their ability to score more goals while maintaining defensive cover.
"I feel we can score goals any time in a game but if we can also protect our lead with a good defence, it's a massive asset for any team," Giroud concluded.