Expectations for Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands were fairly tame heading into Euro 2024, but the one-time winners are now just a game away from the competition’s showpiece event in Berlin.
Outings against England on the big stage have come few and far between for the Dutch, but one of these two serial underachievers – relative to the talent they’ve had available – will be in Sunday’s final. Since their memorable victory in 1988, the Netherlands have lost three out of three Euros semi-finals and this is their first final four berth since 2004.
Koeman has seemingly stumbled upon a preferred system with his side impressing in the knockouts, although this Dutch team has hardly set the world alight in Germany.
Here is how the Netherlands could line up against England in Wednesday’s Euro 2024 semi-final.
GK: Bart Verbruggen – There have been questions surrounding the Brighton goalkeeper this summer but, after notching his first clean sheet of the tournament in the last 16, Verbruggen was on hand to preserve his country’s lead late on against Turkey.
RB: Denzel Dumfries – Dumfries plays a key role in Koeman’s system, operating as an auxiliary winger. He’s performed well in Germany and has linked up to good effect with Cody Gakpo on the opposite flank.
CB: Stefan de Vrij – He’s no Micky van de Ven in terms of recovery running but De Vrij, formerly a stellar performer for Antonio Conte’s Inter during their title-winning 2020/21 season, has garnered the trust of Koeman and found the back of the net against Turkey.
CB: Virgil van Dijk – Van Dijk enjoyed an excellent 2023/24 season with Liverpool but has been ruffled a few times at Euro 2024. Still, Harry Kane will have to improve markedly to get any change out of the giant Dutchman.
LB: Nathan Ake – The Manchester City star continues to impress for the national team. Ake plays a key balancing role in the Netherlands’ backline, allowing Dumfries to advance down the opposite flank. He’s previously enjoyed his duels with Bukayo Saka.
CM: Tijjani Reijnders – Having started the tournament in a more advanced role, Netherlands’ initial midfield issues have seen the Milan maestro drop into a deeper position. Reijnders is a classy customer who can do it all in the middle of the park.
CM: Jerdy Schouten – Despite all their key absences and Joey Veerman’s struggles in the group stage, the Dutch have got a nice balance in midfield. Schouten has a tremendous passing range but will also aim to limit Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham between the lines.
RW: Donyell Malen – An unused substitute against Turkey, Malen’s pace could strike some fear into England’s backline. The Borussia Dortmund star is awfully inconsistent in the final third but scored twice during the Dutch’s 3-0 victory over Romania in the last 16.
AM: Xavi Simons – Simons has undoubtedly flashed his talent in Germany this summer but a statement performance is yet to arrive.
LW: Cody Gakpo – Gakpo loves the big stage with the national team and the Dutch will aim to exploit Kyle Walker’s issues at defending the back post on Wednesday. Gakpo has three goals at Euro 2024 and is competing for Golden Boot honours. He also played a major role in the winner against Turkey.
ST: Memphis Depay – Koeman is set to resist Dutch clamours back home for Wout Weghorst in order to start Depay up top again. While Depay is closing in on his country’s all-time scoring record, his form has been infuriatingly patchy this summer. Weghorst will have a role to play.
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