Spain and the Netherlands will resume their UEFA Nations League quarter-final clash in Spain, following a thrilling clash in Rotterdam.
Luis de la Fuente will have been content with the result in Rotterdam, although he would have wanted to see more character from his Spain squad considering how the clash panned out. The Netherlands were leading until late in the game before the tie turned on its head following a red card to Jorrel Hato.
Substitute Mikel Merino earned a well-deserved draw very late in the game, and Spain will feel they are in an advantageous position ahead of the second leg of their Nations League quarter-final clash. Meanwhile, it was an entertaining game from many angles, with La Roja finding ways to breach the Netherlands backline.
Nico Williams opened the scoring for the reigning European champions, with Cody Gakpo equalising in the first half. Tijjani Reijnders then got the Dutch into the lead early in the second half, as it took a sending-off and a late equaliser from Merino to restore parity. Spain now hosts the Netherlands at the Mestalla in a bid to reach the semifinals of the Nations League A.
Meanwhile, Roland Koeman will have rued his side’s result against Spain in Rotterdam, with the Duitch inches away from a win following how the game panned out. A late scramble from the Dutch keeper allowed Merino too much room to take his shot from close range, something the manager will be displeased about.
The Netherlands maintained a strong record against Spain in competitive international fixtures and will hope to continue that over in Valencia. The task is huge for Koeman and his charges, as the Dutch will want to progress at the expense of the Nations League holders Spain.
Team News & Tactics
Spain
Spain did suffer an early injury in the first leg as key defender Pau Cubarsi was forced off in the latter stages of the first half. The youngster has since returned to Barcelona for further assessment. To the surprise of many, Dutch-born defender and Bournemouth sensation Dean Huijsen got his first taste of international football.
The centre-back put in a commanding performance, and by the look of things, he is set for a full debut at the Mestalla. One of Dani Olmo and Mikel Merino might be in the manager’s thinking, with the former likely to get the nod in place of Fabian Ruiz, who was largely ineffective in Rotterdam. Pedri and Martin Zubimendi will be the other two midfielders in Fuente’s system.
At the back, Huijsen will partner with Robin Le Normand in the central defensive partnership, while Luis de la Fuente will stick with the idea of using Pedro Porro and Marc Cucurella as his preferred full-back choices.
No further changes expected in the forward line, although Mikel Oyarzabal could potentially make the manager think about using him instead of Alvaro Morata. Still, the Spanish captain will start alongside Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams in the front three.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Simon; Porro, Le Normand, Huijsen, Cucurella; Olmo, Zubimendi, Pedri; Yamal, Morata, Williams
Netherlands
Ronald Koeman will have to decide on his starting eleven, particularly those in the defence ahead of this trip to Spain. In the first leg, the Netherlands had to make a change in the back as Jurrien Timber missed out with an illness, and with the official account stating that Jorrel Hato was his replacement, it indicated that the manager wanted to use the Arsenal man at left-back.
Lutsharel Geertruida started in the right-back role last time out, but he might retain that should Timber return fit for this second leg in Spain. Koeman is likely to start with the Arsenal man at left-back, although should he not recover from his illness or be deemed unfit to start then Jeremie Frimpong might move into the right-back slot, with Geertruida shifting to the other flank.
In the case of the latter, Koeman might bring Xavi Simons into the starting lineup and in Frimpong’s position, while mostly retaining his other attacking and midfield stars. Teun Koopmeiners will be pushing for a start, although the Juventus star might find himself on the bench as Koeman might persist with Justin Kluivert in the attacking midfield role.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Frimpong, van Hecke, van Dijk, Geertruida; Reijnders, de Jong; Simons, Kluivert, Gakpo; Depay
Key Stats
- Spain have won every home game in their UEFA Nations League campaign.
- Spain have conceded just twice in their entire UEFA Nations League campaign.
- The Netherlands are undefeated in their last seven matches against Spain in all competitions.
- The Netherlands have failed to win their three away games in the group stages.
Player to Watch
Nico Williams
The Athletic Club winger was electric in the first leg, setting up the opener for Spain while playing an instrumental role in the late equaliser. Overall, his game was fast-paced, with Williams constantly troubling the Dutch backline, particularly Lutsharel Geertruida.
With the Oranje likely to make changes in the full-back areas, and Jeremie Frimpong might come into the picture, it might be good news for Williams. The Spanish winger will aim to get the better of the Dutch wing-back, which could potentially swing the game for La Roja in this second leg.
Prediction
Spain 2-1 Netherlands
The Netherlands will come into this clash at the back of a bad run of away games from the group stage, but with a terrific record against Spain in competitive international games. However, they are up for a big test in Valencia, which might see them lose here.
Spain will be buoyed by the late equaliser which may have broken the Dutch resilience in the first leg. However, they will have to work hard towards getting a favourable result, and have the players to get the job done. Spain are expected to win with a narrow margin and make it into the semi-finals. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 victory for Luis de la Fuente and his charges.
