The Euro 2024 fixtures’ boiler has been switched on as Group D heavyweights, the Netherlands and France, face off at Red Bull Arena on Friday, vying for a spot within the final 16.
Ronald Koeman’s squad rallied from behind to edge out Poland 2-1 of their opener, whereas Les Bleus secured a decent victory over Austria, although the sport was overshadowed by an damage to their key participant, Kylian Mbappe.
Poland initially appeared unfazed by the absence of star striker Robert Lewandowski of their Group D opener towards the Netherlands.
Adam Buksa stepped up admirably, heading in an outstanding objective to the far nook simply 16 minutes into the match.
However, the Flying Dutchmen rapidly responded.
Thirteen minutes later, Cody Gakpo’s deflected shot wrong-footed Wojciech Szczesny, and with solely seven minutes left in regulation time, Wout Weghorst accomplished the Dutch comeback with a strong low end.
Koeman, the relieved former Barcelona boss, noticed his tactical gamble repay.
He had thought-about positioning Memphis Depay behind Weghorst however finally substituted Depay for one more former Manchester United participant, whose profitable objective pushed the Netherlands to the highest of Group D.
The Netherlands lead the group over France, due to their greater objective tally.
A win on Friday would safe them a top-two end and mark their fourth consecutive victory, following 4-0 pleasant wins towards Canada and Iceland of their warm-up matches.
Koeman’s aspect has misplaced solely as soon as of their final eight matches, a 2-1 pleasant defeat to Germany in March, highlighting their sturdy kind heading into Euro 2024.
However, they’ll face a troublesome problem towards their acquainted foes within the upcoming qualifier.
Before reuniting with their Dutch rivals in the identical finals part, France dominated the Netherlands with a 4-0 residence victory and a slim 2-1 win within the preliminary spherical, giving Didier Deschamps’s crew a historic edge this week.
Similar to the Netherlands, Les Bleus’ match opener was a hard-fought 1-0 win over an in-form Austria, due to Maximilian Wober’s personal objective.
France might have topped the group if Kylian Mbappe hadn’t missed a golden one-on-one alternative.
Although the brand new Real Madrid star failed to attain, he precipitated a stir by colliding with Kevin Danso, leading to a damaged nostril and a yellow card. Despite the chaos, Mbappe’s help led to Wober’s personal objective, making certain France’s victory.
France, now in second place, will safe a last-16 spot with a win on Friday. Deschamps’s squad has proven defensive resilience, recording three consecutive clear sheets.
France’s double over the Dutch in qualifying follows the historic development, having received seven of their final eight matches towards the Netherlands.
However, Oranje have received their final two encounters on the Euros, together with a 4-1 thrashing within the 2008 group stage.
The Netherlands emerged from their robust win over Poland with none damage considerations.
Brian Brobbey, who missed the match attributable to a hamstring concern, is again in coaching, giving Koeman a full squad to select from.
The solely slight concern for Koeman is in midfield, as Joey Veerman’s yellow card on Sunday means he’ll face a one-game ban if booked once more.
However, Koeman is unlikely to let such hypotheticals have an effect on his technique for such an vital match.
Weghorst’s late heroics over the weekend haven’t dominated out his beginning possibilities, however Depay, simply 5 targets shy of Robin van Persie’s document 50 for the lads’s crew, is predicted to retain his beginning place.
On the French aspect, followers are eagerly awaiting updates on Mbappe, who suffered a bloody nostril and shirt after his collision with Danso.
Though he would possibly characteristic later within the match with a protecting masks, French media reviews point out that Mbappe will miss Friday’s essential match.
Deschamps is prone to depend on document goalscorer Olivier Giroud, who’s coping with some groin ache however ought to be out there.
Eduardo Camavinga (ankle) and his Real Madrid teammate Aurelien Tchouameni (foot) are additionally anticipated to be match to play, although neither is prone to substitute N’Golo Kante, who delivered a classic efficiency towards Austria together with his tireless midfield show.
Source: www.dailysabah.com