Marco van Basten
A J AX AND HOLLAND
The great Marco van Basten was one of the best strikers the world has ever
seen. The current national coach of Holland was on the pitch when Dennis
Bergkamp made his first start as a professional, on March 18, 1987 against
Malmo. After Van Basten was transferred to AC Milan, they forged a striking
partnership in the Dutch national team.
'THERE'S ONLY ONE DENNIS BERGKAMP, ONE DENNIS BERGKAMP,
DENNIS BERGKAMP TESTIMONIAL MATCH V A)AX JULY 22, 2006
"After that game against Malmo we
rarely played together at Ajax to be
honest and also because after we
won the European Cup Winners'
Cup, I was transferred to AC Milan.
But after Dennis made his debut
with the national team on
September 26,1990 against Italy,
we got in touch again. I
especially have good memories
about the European Championship
in 1992, when he played extremely
well in Sweden.
It was also that year when he
became specialised in his new
position. After playing as a right
winger and a centre forward, Dennis
got in the number 10 position, the
so called 'shadow-striker' position.
Behind me he became an extra
surprise for the defences, who
weren't used to such a way of
playing.
Dennis' strength in this position
was that he had the intelligence to
know when he had to act as a
midfield player and when to be a
striker. He had a perfect eye for
these options.
A perfect example of how it worked
between us was performed during
Euro 1992 against Germany. We won
3-1 and Dennis scored our third
goal. Aron Winter drove the ball
over from the right, I ran for the
near post, taking the defenders with
me and Dennis immediately
sprinted in the space that was left
behind me.
When Winter gave a perfect cross,
Dennis scored fluently. A great goal.
I always enjoyed playing with him.
He had a good physique, a great
technique and he was fast. A real all-
round player, who had a wonderful
touch and feel for the ball.
After I suffered with my ankle we
lost touch with each other.
We made contact again after I did a
coaching course in Holland and I
was allowed to have a training
