Netherlands are heading to Germany in search of their first EURO win since 1988. The Dutch were knocked out in the Round of 16 last time around by the Czech Republic and Ronald Koeman will be hoping to take them further this summer.
Oranje have been drawn into Group D this year, with Poland, Austria and France. Koeman’s men have a tough round of fixtures in the group stage but are one of the favorites to make it through.
The experienced manager has decided to go with his in-form players, who are a good mix of youth and experience. Without further ado, here is a look at the squad, the expected line-up, and the major missings:
GOALKEEPERS
Justin Bijlow was in top form for Feyenoord this season when available, but is not expected to start in goal at EURO 2024 as he missed matches due to injury issues. Mark Flekken was iffy in the Brentford goal and did not have a great season, so he is expected to be the second-choice keeper for the Dutch.
In goal, Ronaldo Koeman is expected to trust Bart Verbruggen despite his troubled season with Brighton & Hove Albion. He currently has the #1 jersey for the Oranje and was impressed when called into action after Flekken got injured.
| Name | Club |
|---|---|
| Justin Bijlow | Feyenoord |
| Mark Flekken | Brentford |
| Bart Verbruggen | Brighton |
DEFENDERS
Without a doubt, Virgil van Dijk will be the first name on the team sheet this summer for Netherlands. The Liverpool star is the captain and has been in fine form every time he has donned the orange kit.
Nathan Aké and Matthijs de Ligt will be fighting for a spot next to van Dijk, as the experienced Stefan de Vrij is expected to be the second-choice defender in the 3-at-the-back set-up. Micky van de Ven and Lutsharel Geertruida will be Koeman’s other options for the backline.
Denzel Dumfries will find it hard to break into the starting XI this time as Jeremie Frimpong has been in red-hot form. He is coming in after a stunning season with Bayer Leverkusen and should start as the right wing-back.
Daley Blind might be playing his final EURO, but the veteran will be playing as the left wing-back without a doubt. He did well for Girona this season and has shown that he still has a lot to offer at the age of 34.
| Name | Club |
|---|---|
| Nathan Aké | Manchester City |
| Daley Blind | Girona |
| Matthijs de Ligt | Bayern Munich |
| Stefan de Vrij | Inter Milan |
| Denzel Dumfries | Inter Milan |
| Jeremie Frimpong | Bayer Leverkusen |
| Lutsharel Geertruida | Feyenoord |
| Micky van de Ven | Tottenham |
| Virgil van Dijk | Liverpool |
Also Read: Scotland Squad EURO 2024: Who’s in and Who’s out, Key Players and Predicted Lineup
MIDFIELDERS
Netherlands are sweating on the fitness of Frenkie de Jong, but if the Barcelona star is available, he will be the first midfielder on the team sheet. Jerdy Schouten is likely to be his partner, while Teun Koopmeiners or Gini Wijnaldum will replace de Jong if the former Ajax star is unavailable.
Tijjani Reijnders did well for AC Milan this season, while Ryan Gravenberch had a tough season since moving to Liverpool. Both are expected to have bench roles and could get a handful of minutes towards the end of matches.
| Name | Club |
|---|---|
| Frenkie de Jong | Barcelona |
| Ryan Gravenberch | Liverpool |
| Teun Koopmeiners | Atalanta |
| Tijjani Reijnders | AC Milan |
| Jerdy Schouten | PSV |
| Georginio Wijnaldum | Al-Ettifaq |
FORWARDS
Wout Weghorst was used as a substitute during the FIFA World Cup but should be the nod up front at EURO 2024. He will be leading the attack this summer with Cody Gakpo and Xavi Simons with him.
Donyell Malen, Brian Brobbey, and Steven Bergwijn will have to battle it out for the second substitute role in attack, as Memphis Depay is all but expected to be the first change in attack in most games once he regains full fitness.
| Name | Club |
|---|---|
| Steven Bergwijn | Ajax |
| Brian Brobbey | Ajax |
| Memphis Depay | Atlético Madrid |
| Cody Gakpo | Liverpool |
| Donyell Malen | Borussia Dortmund |
| Xavi Simons | RB Leipzig |
| Wout Weghorst | Hoffenheim |
NETHERLANDS PREDICTED LINEUP FOR UEFA EURO 2024
Netherlands XI (3-4-2-1): Bart Verbruggen (GK); Stefan de Vrij, Virgil van Dijk (C), Nathan Aké; Jeremie Frimpong, Jerdy Schouten, Frenkie de Jong, Daley Blind; Xavi Simons, Cody Gakpo; Wout Weghorst.
PLAYERS MISSING FOR NETHERLANDS IN UEFA EURO 2024
Sven Botman, Marten de Roon, and Quilindschy Hartman are not on the flight to Germany this summer following injuries. All three would have easily made the squad if they were available but they will have to cheer for their nation from home.
Ian Maatsen and Joshua Zirkzee are the surprise omissions from Ronaldo Koeman in the EURO 2024 squad. The Chelsea loanee was in good form for Borussia Dortmund since moving on loan in January and was one of the favorites for the left wing-back role.
Meanwhile, the Bologna forward scored 12 goals in 37 matches in all competitions for the Serie A side but was left out. The other big name not flying to Germany is Jurrien Timber – but the omission was expected as he missed the entire 2023/24 season due to an ACL injury.
Jurrien’s brother, Quinten Timber, is also missing as he is out for the next few days.
| Name | Club | Reason |
| Sven Botman | Newcastle United | Injury |
| Marten de Roon | Atalanta | Injury |
| Quilindschy Hartman | Feyenoord | Injury |
| Ian Maatsen | Borussia Dortmund | Not Selected |
| Joshua Zirkzee | Bologna | Not Selected |
| Jurrien Timber | Arsenal | Injury |
| Quinten Timber | Feyenoord | Injury |
RONALDO KOEMAN ON NETHERLANDS EURO 2024 SQUAD
In his press conference, Koeman admitted that he was taking Frenkie de Jong and Memphis Depay to Germany despite their injury issues. He was confident about the duo regaining full fitness soon, but unsure if Quinten Timber would be back. He said:
“Frenkie will report for the team on Saturday, but things are going well. The first group match (against Poland in Hamburg on June 16) is feasible (for him to play). We have had a troubled cycle with many injuries. You make choices and sometimes they are difficult.”
“Yesterday we made the decision with Timber, also based on what the medical staff outlined. He won’t be fit for another seven to 10 days. That would be too long. I made an exception for the other two boys (de Jong and Depay).”
Koeman has set sights on winning the tournament this summer and admitted that he was positive about it.
Also Read: A tactical preview for Netherlands National Football Team playing in EURO 2024