Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands have made an impressive start to Euro 2024 campaign with their win against Poland, and next up is facing reigning champion France, led by Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain who will captain Les Bleus in this crucial Group D matchup.
Arsenal defender William Saliba will join Dayot Upamecano to form France’s central defence duo.
Netherlands Team Highlight
The Netherlands have one of the most well-rounded teams in this tournament, featuring several world-class players and maintaining an effective defense.
While they suffered their opening loss to Germany, they managed to turn things around and advance to the quarter-finals. Against Turkey in their last-16 clash, they scored two second-half goals within six second-half minutes to come from behind and beat them. Stefan de Vrij headed in Memphis Depay’s cross before Murt Muldur turned it into his own net under pressure from Cody Gakpo – making an unlikely comeback and beating Turkey!
Ronald Koeman’s Dutch side are one of the strongest sides in European competition, especially at home. Their arsenal includes quality attacking players such as RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons and Donyell Malen along with Liverpool striker Memphis Depay from Liverpool FC – not forgetting Virgil Van Dijk and Nathan Ake who lead a rock solid defence that may cause problems for England on Saturday evening.
France Team Highlight
France enters their Group D clash against the Netherlands as the favorites, having won five out of their past six meetings against them.
Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe is fighting back to play, despite suffering a broken nose during Real’s 1-0 victory against Austria on Tuesday. Mbappe may come off the bench but has yet to be named to start for Real.
Griezmann will lead France while Marcus Thuram from Manchester United’s starting XI is also included. Coach Didier Deschamps must do without key figures like Hugo Lloris, Steve Mandanda, Raphael Varane and Ousmane Dembele in order to select an effective side.
Ronald Koeman will be hoping for an improved performance from his side, having fallen to Poland 2-1 in their opening match. Cody Gakpo and Wout Weghorst could feature heavily after showing their talent against Poland; Bart Verbruggen, Virgil van Dijk, Nathan Ake, Denzel Dumfries and Stefan de Vrij are among other potential options Koeman may consider as starters.
Team Timeline
After an impressive 2-1 win against Poland, Ronald Koeman’s Dutch side faces one of their fiercest rivals France. Les Bleus boast an impressive winning record against Ronald Koeman’s Oranje, but Kylian Mbappe’s injury leaves Deschamps’ squad searching for someone else to replace Kylian Mbappe as they look for ways to replace him on their roster.
The Netherlands appear set to remain with the same squad that helped secure them an unlikely comeback victory against Poland. Wout Weghorst may miss out due to his impressive cameo role during that victory but with Brian Brobbey back fit and Cody Gakpo unleashing his full attacking potential, they have ample attacking options at their disposal.
Anthony Taylor will oversee this game, assisted by Gary Beswick and Adam Nunn as assistant referees and Stuart Attwell serving as VAR.
Rivalry
At Euro 2024 qualifying, two international powerhouses face off in an encounter that could shape its course, with Netherlands looking to recover from their dismal start while France aiming for top spot. Ronald Koeman will lead Oranje, while Didier Deschamps looks forward to getting his team off on an impressive start.
After their thrilling 2-1 comeback victory against Poland, the Dutch have an opportunity to put their early struggles behind them and secure last-16 qualification by defeating France. Unfortunately for them though, Kylian Mbappe is out injured so this game may prove tough for them.
Mbappe suffered a broken nose in the opening game and is training with a protective mask, possibly leading Didier Deschamps to make a late substitution; they could send on 25-year-old Wout Weghorst instead, who has five goals for the Netherlands so far this tournament.
If Mbappe misses out, this may force Deschamps into an uncomfortable late substitution decision; that could force Didier Deschamps into making changes that benefit other teams more than himself; in which case Deschamps could make late changes that could leave him out altogether and lead him towards possible absence – leaving Didier Deschamps without his usual early substitution decision making capabilities; should make changes without Mbappe for this one-sided matchup between Netherlands v Netherlands with him scoring five goals this tournament already under his control he could make an early sub or bring him on and late substitute him out before the matchup against England; Wout Weghorst could become the main attacking threat for them while Mbappe’s absence will likely see Wout Weghorst become the main attacking threat he scored five times already this tournament!
Final words
The Netherlands and France will face off in a high-stakes duel for first place in Group D. Ronald Koeman has struggled to maintain consistency, yet their narrow victory against Poland set up this matchup perfectly to take on World Cup winners France. Even though Ronald Koeman’s Oranje are underdogs here, all signs point towards an exciting battle!
The Dutch are expected to employ their fluid 4-2-3-1 formation that has proved so successful during qualification matches, featuring RB Leipzig playmaker Xavi Simons supporting Memphis Depay and Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo posing a serious threat from left wing.
Wout Weghorst may also come off the bench to add extra attacking impetus.France will field an eleven featuring Antoine Griezmann in goal, Adrien Rabiot on the left wing and Aurelien Tchouameni as centre-backs. Warren Zaire-Emery will sit out again for this qualifying campaign; Jeremie Frimpong replaces him alongside Marcus Thuram in midfield; Mbappe remains uncertain due to suffering a broken nose during previous appearance; nevertheless, French legend and captain Francois Armand will carry the armband of leadership for this game.
