The Netherlands are set to host rivals Spain in the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals in Rotterdam with both teams looking to take an advantage into the second leg.
The UEFA Nations League offers a mouth watering quarter-final lineup, as the Netherlands and Spain take on each other in a two-legged affair in Rotterdam. The winner of this tie will face either Croatia or France in the semi-finals, as these teams will be looking to take an advantage in the reverse leg.
Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands side have been inconsistent in their form and yet managed to finish second in their Nations League Group A3. Since losing to England in the UEFA Euro 2024 semi-finals, the Oranje have picked up nine points from six games, which includes an away defeat to Germany and a draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The hosts have given themselves the best possible chance to go the distance in this Nations League campaign, as they host Spain in the first leg of their quarter-final clash in Rotterdam. Koeman will want to take a good enough advantage to Spain for the reverse leg scheduled in the next week.
Current Nations League holders Spain are in top form coming into this crucial quarter-final in Rotterdam. The current holders are also the reigning European champions, with Luis de la Fuente holding a formidable record of 23 wins, three draws, and two defeats since his appointment in December 2022.
In any case, Spain are in the right hands with de la Fuente, as the manager now looks to add the Euros to his list of collectibles. Spain are also in a solid run of form in the Nations League campaign, collecting 16 points of a possible 18, which ensured a top finish in their group.
Ahead of their trip to Rotterdam, Spain will also hope to continue their formidable run, as Fuente will hope to extend the winning run to six games. However, in the Netherlands, they face a team they have not beaten in 90 minutes since 1983, when they won in Seville in a European qualifier.
Team News & Tactics
The Netherlands
Ronald Koeman had to make a lot of selection decisions when naming his squad, although the manager has seen the likes of Denzel Dumfries and Jerdy Schouten withdraw with injury issues. The duo joins Nathan Ake, Stefan de Vrij and Devyne Rensch on the sidelines. Micky van de Ven has not been called up probably owing to his recent fitness issues, as the defender might need time to return to his best self.
Koeman also made some notable players sit out of the squad this time, with Joshua Zirkzee, Wout Weghorst, Marten de Roon and Quinten Timber not being called up. In the defence, with Dumfries and Ake absent, Jurrien Timber and Jorrel Hato are expected to play in the full-back roles.
Virgil van Dijk and Matthijs de Ligt are likely to pair up at the heart of the defence. Liverpool star Ryan Gravenberch will certainly play in central midfield, with Barcelona man Frenkie de Jong likely to join him there.
Tijjani Reijnders might get the nod ahead of fellow Serie A star Teun Koopmeiners in the attacking midfield role, while Xavi Simons and Cody Gakpo take up the wide attacking roles. While Memphis Depay was named in the squad, Ajax man Brian Brobbey will lead the line for the Netherlands against Spain.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Timber, de Ligt, van Dijk, Hato; Gravenberch, de Jong; Simons, Reijnders, Gakpo; Brobbey
Spain
There have been some notable withdrawals for Spain ahead of this international round, with Inigo Martinez, Marc Casado and Bryan Zaragoza all pulling out of the squad.
Real Madrid defender Raul Asencio has received his first national team call-up, while Luis de la Fuente has also included Dutch-born Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen in his setup. It might be a bit dramatic for the Bournemouth wonderkid to debut against his nation of birth, although he might at best start on the bench.
While Unai Simon has returned to the fold once again, de la Fuente might continue to select David Raya as his No.1 from here on, thus rewarding the Arsenal man for an exceptional season so far. Pau Cubarsi and Robin :e Normand are poised to take the central defensive roles for Spain against the Netherlands, with Premier League pair Pedro Porro and Marc Cucurella in the full-back positions.
Martin Zubimendi will continue to feature in the base of the Spanish midfield in the absence of Rodri, with Fabian Ruiz and Pedri expected to play either side of the Real Sociedad enforcer. Alvaro Morata has had an inconsistent season so far but has made it to the national side, as he leads the line. Young wingers Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams feature on either side of the experienced striker.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3) – Raya; Porro, Cubarsi, Le Normand, Cucurella; Ruiz, Zubimendi, Pedri; Yamal, Morata, Williams
Key Stats
- The Netherlands are undefeated in their last six matches against Spain in all competitions.
- The Netherlands have not lost to Spain in 90 minutes since 1983.
- Spain took 16 of 18 points to finish top of their group.
- Spain have conceded only four goals in their six games during the group stages.
Player to Watch
Virgil van Dijk
This is just another platform for van Dijk to showcase he is still one of the best centre-backs in the world. While he has proven a point this season with Liverpool, it may be time to do it for his national side as he captains the Netherlands against Spain.
Virgil van Dijk has been in the news ahead of this international break over his future, and these are games away from the club to showcase he deserves a big new deal at Anfield. Away from the transfer talk, this upcoming game against Spain is a real test of character for the Dutch and van Dijk, as the defender will be key in ensuring his team takes an advantage into their reverse leg next week.
Prediction
The Netherlands 2-1 Spain
Spain may be the European champions and UEFA Nations League holders, but they have thoroughly struggled for relevance when playing the Netherlands for many years now. That run might continue heading to Rotterdam for the first leg of their quarter-finals, as La Roja might not return home with a win.
The Oranje might be in an inconsistent vein of form, although their impressive run of results against Spain will prove the catalyst in this first leg. The Netherlands have what it takes to ensure they can compete with the European champions, and Ronald Koeman’s men are expected to secure a narrow advantage with a win ahead of the return leg in Spain.
