The Netherlands start their Euro 2024 campaign against a Robert Lewandowski-less Poland side at Hamburg’s Volksparkstadion. Group D’s opening fixture will happen on June 16 at 2 pm BST, with Ronald Koeman’s side the clear favourites to pick up the three points. During Euro 2020, Oranje won all three of their group games before suffering a painful 2-0 loss to the Czech Republic in the round of sixteen. Here is our Netherlands predicted lineup for their Euro 2024 opener.
Netherlands Predicted Lineup Vs. Poland
How the Netherlands Have Lined up Recently
In their Euro 2024 warm-up games, two 4-0 wins over Canada and Iceland, the Netherlands lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Brighton & Hove Albion’s Bart Verbruggen in goal. At right back, Denzel Dumfries and Lutsharel Geertruida started a game each. Both are solid options but Dumfries’ experience on the biggest stage may earn him the start. With Ian Maatsen only recently joining the squad, Micky van de Ven and Nathan Ake have shared left-back duties. Captain Virgil van Dijk is almost locked in to start at left centre-back. One of Mattijs de Ligt, Daley Blind, or Stefan de Vrijj will start alongside the Liverpool centre-back.
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In midfield, the loss of Frenkie de Jong has seen Koeman scrambling to find a midfield pivot that offers enough defensive security. PSV pair Jerdy Schouten and Joey Veerman impressed against Iceland, they helped ensure their opponents could only manage one shot on target. Tijjani Reijnders and Georginio Wijnaldum started a game each in the attacking midfield position.
In attack, the Netherlands have several quality options they can choose from. During the warm-up games, Jeremie Frimpong and Xavi Simons both scored their first international goal from the right wing. Cody Gakpo looks to have beaten off competition from Donyell Malen and Steven Bergwijn to start on the left. Memphis Depay is five goals away from Robin Van Persie’s tally of 50. The striker, without a club, will hope to break the record during Euro 2024.
Recent Form and Tactics
The two 4-0 warm-up wins followed a mixed March international break, the Netherlands beat Scotland 4-0 before losing 2-1 to Germany. Oranje are still in impressive form, they’ve won eight of their last ten matches. The loss against Euro 2024’s hosts was the last time Koeman tried a 3-4-1-2 formation. The call-up of Maatsen means the Dutch can play this system more comfortably and may be an option against international powerhouses like France.
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The Netherlands have a collection of exciting young players – and play to their strengths. They use Van Dijk’s precise passing to get behind the lines and draw in defenders from wide areas. This creates an advantage for their wide players, who could be wing-backs, wingers, or overlapping full-backs. Koeman’s side will look to take their recent ruthless attacking play into Euro 2024. In Oranje’s last five games, they have scored 19 goals.
Injuries to Consider
Injuries to midfielders De Jong and Teun Koopmeiners have left the Netherlands scrambling for replacements. Late call-up Maatsen has recently joined the squad at their camp in Wolfsberg and all 24 other members of the squad – were involved in the warm-up games. Koeman will hope his players can come through their final training sessions unscathed and ready for their Euro 2024 opener.
Netherlands Predicted Lineup
Gk: Bart Verbruggen
RB: Denzel Dumfries
CB: Mattjis de Ligt
CB: Virgil van Dijk
LB: Nathan Ake
DM: Jerdy Schouten
DM: Joey Veerman
AM: Tijjani Reijnders
LW: Cody Gakpo
RW: Xavi Simons
ST: Memphis Depay
