Netherlands vs Croatia: Head to head statistics
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Netherlands vs Croatia match preview
The third edition of the UEFA Nations League Finals gets underway in Rotterdam, so who will move one step closer to hoisting aloft major silverware on Sunday?
Hosts Netherlands won five of their six group matches to get here, memorably demolishing neighbours Belgium 4-1 in Brussels last June.
This is Oranje’s second appearance at the Nations League Finals, ousting England in Guimarães at this stage four years ago, before a narrow 1-0 defeat to Portugal in the final.
Ronald Koeman was in charge back then and, after Frank de Boer led Holland at Euro 2020, and then Louis van Gaal was Head Coach for the World Cup, Koeman is back for his second stint as manager.
Safe to say, Koeman’s return in March didn’t go to plan, demolished 4-0 in Paris by France in Euro 2024 qualifying, finding themselves 3-0 down after little over 20 minutes later.
The Netherlands did smash Gibraltar 3-0 a few days later but, with Republic of Ireland and Greece also in Group B, they’ll have work to do later this year.
So, will the hosts be featuring in Sunday’s final?
Croatia though have a knack when it comes to upsetting the odds in knockout ties.
The Blazers got all the way to the World Cup Final in 2018 before also reaching last year’s semi-finals, overcoming Brazil on penalties in Qatar before being blown away by Argentina.
In this Nations League campaign, the Checkered Ones notably beat France at Stade de France, but still required a final day victory over Austria to reach the finals for the very first time.
Marko Livaja and Dejan Lovren getting the second half goals in a momentous 3-1 victory at Ernst-Happel-Stadion.
Since gaining independence from Yugoslavia in the early 1990s, Croatia have been near-ever-presents at major tournaments, but are still awaiting their first piece of major silverware.
If Zlatko Dalić’s team are going to change that fact this week, they’ll need to overcome the hosts.
Who will reach the UEFA Nations League Final, where Spain or Italy will await, with victory at De Kuip?
Netherlands team news
Star striker Memphis is out injured, which is a major blow, given that he’s scored 44 international goals, while the entire squad combined have managed just 74, 35% of which Georginio Wijnaldum is responsible for.
In his absence, Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo is likely to lead the line, with 20 year old Xavi Simons also featuring in the attack.
Goalkeeper remains a problem position for the Dutch; as Jasper Cillessen hasn’t been called up, the three keepers in the squad have just 15 caps between them.
Feyenoord’s Justin Bijlow could get the nod, although Mark Flekken, who’s just joined Brentford from Freiburg for £11 million, is also a good option.
In contrast, Holland boast a surplus of centre-backs, with captain Virgil van Dijk set to be partnered by Matthijs de Ligt but they also have Jurriën Timber and Sven Botman, the latter is still awaiting his senior debut.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Flekken; Dumfries, van Dijk, de Ligt, Aké; de Jong, de Roon, Koopmeiners; Malen, Gakpo, Simmons.
Croatia team news
Dejan Lovren retired following the World Cup in Qatar, while fellow centre-back Joško Gvardiol is out injured.
So, Martin Erlić could come in to partner Josip Šutalo at the back, with 34 year old 2018 hero Domagoj Vida the alternative.
As ever, Croatia have a midfield to rival any other, with captain Luka Modrić winning his 165th cap, alongside Mateo Kovačić and Marcelo Brozović, the latter starting just four days after doing so in the Champions League Final.
Kovačić has only ever scored five times for his country, but two of these came in their last match, a 2-0 Euro 2024 qualifying victory over Türkiye in Bursa.
Ivan Perišić has scored at all five World Cups and Euros in the last decade, so can he add a Nations League Finals goal to his tally?
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Livaković; Juranović, Šutalo, Erlić, Sosa; Brozović, Modrić, Kovačić; Pašalić, Kramarić, Perišić.
UEFA Nations League semi-final fixtures
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UEFA Nations League A tables
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