Euro 2020 Profile: Netherlands

Matthijs de Ligt

Matthijs de Ligt Credit: Clare McCahill (ETPhotos)

Team: Netherlands

Manager: Frank de Boer

Group: C

Other teams in group: North Macedonia, Ukraine, Austria.

THE SQUAD

As always, the Netherlands squad is littered with famous names. Even with Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk missing the tournament as he continues to recover from a knee injury, the squad still contains the likes of Matthijs de Ligt from Juventus, Frenkie De Jong of Barcelona and Georgino Wijnaldum whose Liverpool contract expires this summer.

The squad in full: 

Goalkeepers: Jasper Cillessen (Valencia), Tim Krul (Norwich City), Maarten Stekelenburg (Ajax Amsterdam)

Defenders: Nathan Ake (Manchester City), Daley Blind (Ajax Amsterdam), Matthijs de Ligt (Juventus), Stefan de Vrij (Inter Milan), Denzel Dumfries (PSV Eindhoven), Jurriem Timber (Ajax Amsterdam), Patrick van Aanholt (Crystal Palace), Joel Veltman (Brighton & Hove Albion), Owen Wijndal (AZ Alkmaar)

Midfielders: Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona), Marten de Roon (Atalanta), Ryan Gravenberch (Ajax Amsterdam), Davy Klaassen (Ajax Amsterdam), Teun Koopmeiners (AZ Alkmaar), Donny van de Beek (Manchester United), Georginio Wijnaldum (Liverpool)



Forwards: Steven Berghuis (Feyenoord), Luuk de Jong (Sevilla), Memphis Depay (Olympique Lyonnais), Cody Gakpo (PSV Eindhoven), Donyell Malen (PSV Eindhoven), Quincy Promes (Spartak Moscow), Wout Weghorst (Wolfsburg).

HOW THEY GOT HERE

The Netherlands qualified from Group C of their qualifying group where they finished second, two points behind group winners Germany. The group also included Northern Ireland, Belarus and Estonia.

Germany managed to inflict the only defeat on de Boer’s team with a 3-2 win in Amsterdam. However, the Netherlands got their revenge in September with a 4-2 win in Hamburg. Northern Ireland were the only other team to take points from Netherlands in qualifying, as they drew 0-0 with de Boer’s men in Belfast.

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR

Matthijs de Ligt – The Juventus defender was paired with former Manchester United man Daly Blind in each of de Boer’s sides three World Cup qualifiers in March.



Although Blind is experienced, the Dutch may rely on the legs of de Ligt for defending against quicker, attacking sides like Didier Deschamps’ France who they could meet in the knockout stages.

Georgino Wijnaldum – Wijnaldum is a very different player when he plays for Netherlands compared to when he plays for Liverpool. At Liverpool, he’s very conservative and offers cover for Liverpool’s full backs to get forward. However, when he plays for the Netherlands, he often plays as the furthest forward of a midfield three where he can offer a serious attacking threat, proven by his seven goals in eight games during qualifying for this summer’s tournament.

Luuk De Jong – De Jong has scored in each of the Netherlands’ first three World Cup qualifiers against Gibraltar, Latvia and Turkey. The forward started the campaign on the bench against Turkey as Memphis Depay started upfront. However, since then Depay has been moved out to the left to make space for De Jong. This looks like likely to continue in this summer’s tournament, as Tottenham’s Steven Bergwijn who would’ve offered adequate competition at left wing ahs been left out by Frank de Boer.

WHERE THEY ARE PLAYING AND STAYING

Netherlands will play all of their three group games at home, in the Johan Cruijff ArenA in Amsterdam. 

Sunday 13 June 2021: Netherlands vs Ukraine

Thursday 17 June 2021: Netherlands vs Austria 

Monday 21 June 2021: North Macedonia vs Netherlands 

THREE INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE TEAM

Georgino Wijnaldum was Netherlands’ top goal scorer in Euro 2020 qualifying with seven goals in eight games.

The majority of the squad play their club football in the Netherlands with no fewer than 11 players playing in the Eredivise.

The last time the Netherlands hosted a European Championships finals match was 21 years ago, when Italy knocked them out on penalties in the semi-finals of Euro 2000.

THEIR RECENT FORM

The Netherlands have lost just one of their last five games, a 4-2 loss away to Turkey in World Cup qualifying.

First game: Netherlands V Ukraine (13 June, 8pm ko).

 

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