It’s always a complicated move. Despite the undisputed 4-0 victory last March, the France team is traveling to Amsterdam to challenge the Netherlands as part of the 7th day of Group B of Euro qualifying (8:45 p.m.). The Blues are six points ahead of their opponent this evening and a new victory would offer the official ticket for next year’s continental competition in Germany. There is therefore a certain challenge in performing well this evening, especially as Deschamps and his men remain on a friendly defeat against the Mannschaft.
The Netherlands aren’t in great shape either. Despite the return of Ronald Koeman to the post, the Oranje are struggling to show an attractive face. To make matters worse, they are deprived of a lot of offensive cards since Memphis Depay and Cody Gakpo are out, just like Frenkie de Jong in the midfield, without forgetting other absentees such as De Ligt, Botman, Malacia, Timber or again Flekken and Bijlow in goal, forcing Koeman to call on many novices. “I have never experienced it to this extent”lamented the former Barça player and coach.
A mess of absences in the Netherlands
They should still present themselves in 3-4-3 with Verbruggen in goal for his very first selection. Geertruida would team up with classic in the axis since Van Dijk and Aké are very present. In the roles of pistons, Dumfries on the right and the stainless Blind on the left are expected to start. In the midfield, we would find a duo well known to Serie A fans with Marten de Roon (Atalanta) and Tijjani Reijnders (AC Milan). Finally, up front there is still talent since the Parisian loaned to Leipzig, Xavi Simons is expected to support the Malen-Weghorst duo.
Didier Deschamps also has his problems, notably defensive since in the absence of Saliba, Koundé, Upamecano and Disasi, it is a new quartet which would be responsible for protecting Mike Maignan. Absent at the World Cup, Clauss starts with a head start on the right, while on the other side, it would be classic with Théo Hernandez. His brother Lucas would evolve in the axis, as during the last rally, but this time with Konaté in the hinge. In the middle, there should be no surprises with Tchouaméni, Rabiot and Griezmann a notch higher. At the forefront, Kolo Muani would hold the rope in front of Giroud, accompanied at his side by Coman and Mbappé.
