UEFA Nations League preview: Netherlands vs Croatia
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Wednesday sees the UEFA Nations League semi-final between the Netherlands and Croatia, with the Dutch enjoying home advantage; the match takes place at Rotterdam’s Feijenoord “De Kuip” stadium.
It’s Koeman’s second stint in charge
Led by Ronald Koeman, it’s Koeman’s second stint in charge of the Netherlands, after he left his home nation in 2020 to manage Barcelona during a fairly unhappy spell for all involved.
That awkward interlude has presumably been forgiven, with Koeman retaking the reins with the national side at the beginning of 2023.
So how have the team fared since Koeman’s return? It’s one win and one defeat in their two games this year; there’s no shame in losing to France, but a 4-0 hammering is never a good look. The Netherlands’ other game was a 3-0 win over Gibraltar that doesn’t tell us a whole lot about anything.
Certainly, Koeman’s side face capable opposition in Croatia; coach Zlatko Dalic took his side to the 2018 World Cup Final, while last year Croatia made it to the semi’s, going out to eventual winners Argentina.
Croatia drew four of their seven World Cup matches
It’s 35 years since the Netherlands’ last (and to date, sole) trophy, with the side winning Euro ‘88. The prestige of winning the Nations League isn’t on the same level, but Koeman would doubtless love to land this trophy – even if former coach Louis van Gaal did the spade-work in steering the side to this semi-final.
The Oranje finished as runners-up in the inaugural 2019 iteration of this competition, too. But Croatia have plenty of motivation to bring home the trophy too – not least because the 37-year-old Luka Modric would love to call time on his international career having helped his side win a cup.
The Netherlands are without the injured Memphis Depay, though Cody Gakpo is a capable replacement. Matthijs de Ligt is also out with a calf injury. But even with those absences, will home advantage be enough to help Koeman’s side see off the Croats?
Perhaps not – at least in 90 minutes. Croatia drew four of their seven matches in the 2022 World Cup, and since then they’ve also drawn against Wales in a Euro 2024 qualifier. There’s a good chance this match could also be all square after 90 minutes; back the draw at 12/5.
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