Expectations for Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands had been pretty tame heading into Euro 2024, however the one-time winners are actually only a recreation away from the competitors’s showpiece occasion in Berlin.
Outings in opposition to England on the large stage have come few and much between for the Dutch, however certainly one of these two serial underachievers – relative to the expertise they’ve had out there – can be in Sunday’s closing. Since their memorable victory in 1988, the Netherlands have misplaced three out of three Euros semi-finals and that is their first closing 4 berth since 2004.
Koeman has seemingly stumbled upon a most well-liked system together with his facet impressing within the knockouts, though this Dutch workforce has hardly set the world alight in Germany.
Right here is how the Netherlands may line up in opposition to England in Wednesday’s Euro 2024 semi-final.
GK: Bart Verbruggen – There have been questions surrounding the Brighton goalkeeper this summer time however, after notching his first clear sheet of the event within the final 16, Verbruggen was readily available to protect his nation’s lead late on in opposition to Turkey.
RB: Denzel Dumfries – Dumfries performs a key function in Koeman’s system, working as an auxiliary winger. He is carried out effectively in Germany and has linked as much as good impact with Cody Gakpo on the other flank.
CB: Stefan de Vrij – He is no Micky van de Ven by way of restoration working however De Vrij, previously a stellar performer for Antonio Conte’s Inter throughout their title-winning 2020/21 season, has garnered the belief of Koeman and located the again of the web in opposition to Turkey.
CB: Virgil van Dijk – Van Dijk loved a superb 2023/24 season with Liverpool however has been ruffled a number of instances at Euro 2024. Nonetheless, Harry Kane should enhance markedly to get any change out of the large Dutchman.
LB: Nathan Ake – The Manchester Metropolis star continues to impress for the nationwide workforce. Ake performs a key balancing function within the Netherlands’ backline, permitting Dumfries to advance down the other flank. He is beforehand loved his duels with Bukayo Saka.
CM: Tijjani Reijnders – Having began the event in a extra superior function, Netherlands’ preliminary midfield points have seen the Milan maestro drop right into a deeper place. Reijnders is a cultured buyer who can do all of it in the midst of the park.
CM: Jerdy Schouten – Regardless of all their key absences and Joey Veerman’s struggles within the group stage, the Dutch have gotten a pleasant stability in midfield. Schouten has an incredible passing vary however may even goal to restrict Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham between the strains.
RW: Donyell Malen – An unused substitute in opposition to Turkey, Malen’s tempo may strike some worry into England’s backline. The Borussia Dortmund star is terribly inconsistent within the closing third however scored twice through the Dutch’s 3-0 victory over Romania within the final 16.
AM: Xavi Simons – Simons has undoubtedly flashed his expertise in Germany this summer time however an announcement efficiency is but to reach.
LW: Cody Gakpo – Gakpo loves the large stage with the nationwide workforce and the Dutch will goal to use Kyle Walker’s points at defending the again submit on Wednesday. Gakpo has three objectives at Euro 2024 and is competing for Golden Boot honours. He additionally performed a significant function within the winner in opposition to Turkey.
ST: Memphis Depay – Koeman is about to withstand Dutch clamours again house for Wout Weghorst so as to begin Depay up high once more. Whereas Depay is closing in on his nation’s all-time scoring report, his kind has been infuriatingly patchy this summer time. Weghorst can have a job to play.
