Dutch coach Louis van Gaal thinks Lionel Messi could help them cause problems for Argentina in the World Cup quarter-finals and insists Brazil are ‘just a counter-team’ .

Netherlands boss Louis Van Gaal has gone public with his belief that Argentine star Lionel Messi could also be the one to get them in trouble.

The Dutch face Argentina on Friday in a bid to advance to the semi-finals for the second time in his tenure.

Van Gaal has already spoken ahead of the clash, praising Argentine talisman Lionel Messi, but the 71-year-old believes he could be a weak link for both winners.

“He is indeed the most dangerous player who creates the most chances and creates them himself,” he told NOS (via Voetbal Zone).

“But on the other hand he doesn’t play much with the opposition when he has possession of the ball. This is also where our chances lie.

Van Gaal, who was in the Dutch dugout in 2014 when his side lost to Argentina on penalties in the semi-finals, insists his team must get revenge.

“We still have a score to settle,” he said. “I don’t like to think about it because I thought we were going to win and then I traded for the win as well.

“I would like to convince people at home to go watch the game and cheer us on. Then we will get a lot of support from it.

As well as giving honest opinions on his next opponent, the former Man United boss was also less than impressed with Brazil.

“I saw them [Brazil]it’s just a counter-team,” Van Gaal said.

“I read in the Dutch media that it was sparkling, but it’s just a counter team. South Korea only attacked.