Netherlands and Croatia will vie for a place in the UEFA Nations League Final, with Rotterdam playing host to this monumental clash.
European football still has more to offer before the summer break begins. There is the small matter of international football, with the UEFA Nations League semi-finals taking precedence over the others for its competitive spirit. One of the two clashes will be played in Rotterdam, where hosts Netherlands will take on World Cup semi-finalists Croatia for a place in the final.
🇭🇷🇮🇹🇳🇱🇪🇸 Who's winning it?#NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/74i2EAwgW5
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) June 12, 2023
The Oranje are in this position after accumulating 16 points from 18 available. Ronald Koeman has taken over this side and delivered one loss and a win so far. They were thoroughly thrashed by World Cup finalists France while managing a solid win over Gibraltar courtesy of a brace from Nathan Ake and a solitary strike from Memphis Depay.
Meanwhile, World Cup semi-finalists Croatia will come into this game confident, having accumulated four points from their last two European qualifiers. Croatia bounced back after a disappointing draw against Wales with a convincing win over Turkey.
As for their Nations League campaign, they started with a disappointing loss to Austria. After that, they collected 13 points, which took them to the finals for the first time. Wednesday night against the Netherlands will only be the third time these teams meet, and it holds the most important prize compared to the previous two.
Team News & Tactics
Netherlands
Ronald Koeman has several absentees ahead of this crucial Nations League semi-finals. For starters, Memphis Depay is out of action as he continues to recover from a calf problem sustained in May. His absence could see Cody Gakpo take the No.9 role for the Oranje.
See you tomorrow! 🏟🇳🇱#NothingLikeOranje #NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/nK2cWcbwZe
— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) June 13, 2023
Meanwhile, Tijjani Reijnders and Daley Blind are also out of contention. Ryan Gravenberch, Stefan de Vrij, Steven Berghuis and Feremie Frimpong have also withdrawn from the latest international round-up. Koeman prefers a 4-3-3 shape, as he still has the players to field an attacking setup.
Sven Botman and Virgil van Dijk will marshall the central defence, while recent Champions League winner Nathan Ake will play as a left-back. Denzel Dumfries, who was on the losing end in the Istanbul final, will play right-back, although the position is a bit unfamiliar, considering he likes to play more in an attacking role.
Xavi Simons and Steven Bergwijn will form part of the front three alongside Gakpo. In midfield, Frenkie de Jong, Georginio Wijnaldum and Marten de Roon will finish off with their midfield positions, as Koeman has a strong lineup to field against Croatia.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Bijlow; Dumfries, van Dijk, Botman, Ake; de Roon, Wijnaldum, de Jong; Simons, Gakpo, Bergwijn
Croatia
Striker Marko Livaja pulled out of the squad despite joining training. An ugly incident involving fans insulting the forward led to his withdrawal, meaning Andrej Kramaric will likely lead the line for Croatia.
Tonight, #Croatia arrived to Rotterdam! 🛬
👋 @OnsOranje 🇳🇱#NationsLeague #Vatreni❤️🔥👋 pic.twitter.com/iNGaDyiKf3
— HNS (@HNS_CFF) June 12, 2023
Meanwhile, Zlatko Dalic hoped to have star defender Josko Gvardiol in his setup. But the RB Leipzig man has not recovered from a groin problem. Martin Erlic could replace the 21-year-old at the back and partner Josip Sutalo in central defence.
Josip Juranovic and Borna Sosa will keep their places as full-backs, while Dalic will match the Netherlands’ shape with a 4-3-3 setup. Veteran midfielder Luka Mordic refused to retire from international football and will remain a mainstay in this Croatia midfield.
Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic will finish the midfield setup alongside Modric. With Kramaric leading the line, veteran Ivan Perisic will continue from the left-hand side, while Mario Pasalic will operate from the right.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Livakovic; Juranovic, Sutalo, Erlic, Sosa; Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic; Pasalic, Kramaric, Perisic
Key Stats
- This clash will be the third time Netherlands and Croatia face each other.
- The two sides last met in an international friendly back in 2008, where the Netherlands won 3-0.
- The Netherlands have scored more goals 14) than any other team in League A.
- Croatia won their group (League A Group 1), beating France, Denmark and Austria to the top spot.
- If he can get on the scoresheet, Ivan Perisic will overtake Mario Mandzukic as Croatia’s second-highest scorer.
Player to Watch
Cody Gakpo
🗣️ Cody Gakpo:
“I have become convinced that being a striker suits me” pic.twitter.com/SIfbD8T6v2
— Anfield Agenda (@AnfieldAgenda) June 12, 2023
The Dutch star has had a fabulous season, first with PSV, then with Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp got a solid bargain for the price he went to Merseyside, with the striker rising in stature as the season progressed. He might have been disappointed for not finishing in the top four. But now, he can help his national side make the Nations League final.
Gakpo has loads of talent and energy to burn and has shown consistency with the national side. He will become one of the players everyone will have their eyes on and has a big chance to shine on a modestly big stage.
Prediction
The Netherlands 2-1 Croatia
The Netherlands have home advantage in this semi-final clash, and Ronald Koeman has a strong lineup to pick. Croatia will come into this clash with the confidence of an improved international stature. But De Kuip will prove a strong venue for Zlatko Dalic’s men to overcome.
Vatreni have a resilient and experienced set of players, but the Oranje boast a solid attacking and midfield setup. Hence the Netherlands will have the upper hand in this Nations League clash, which could see them move into the final.
