Understand why Memphis is a bench in Holland vs Japan in the World Cup debut

Corinthians striker Memphis Depay is on the bench for the Netherlands' World Cup debut, against Japan, this Sunday (14). The ball starts at 5pm (Brasília time), at the AT&T Stadium, in Dallas, in the United States.

Shirt number 10 and top scorer in the history of the European country, he is not 100% physically ready for the clash. Memphis missed Timão for two months in the first half of the year due to a grade 2 muscle strain he had in the front of his right thigh.

Since recovering, he has played in just two matches for the club, in addition to one for the national team, but with few minutes on the field. Ronald Koeman, coach of the Orange, spoke about the importance of the number 10:

"In the last ten days, his (Memphis) physique has improved. He is an important player, he has been for a long time. He is a key part of our success in this World Cup. He is important for that", Ronaldo Koeman, coach of the Netherlands.

Koeman decided to preserve the athlete and chose Donyell Mallen, from Roma, to lead the attack. Alongside him, Summervile (West Ham) and Cody Gakpo (Liverpool) form the Dutch attacking trio to face Japan.

There is an expectation that Depay will gain minutes throughout the game and that he will be able to be a starter throughout the World Cup. The Netherlands are in Group F of the World Cup and will face, in addition to the Japanese, Sweden and Tunisia.

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Source: CNN