UEFA Euro 2024 features another massive clash between two bona fide European giants this week when France take on Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands side in a crucial clash at the Red Bull Arena Leipzig on Friday. Both teams have good players in their ranks and will need to push themselves this week.
France are second in Group D in the UEFA Euro 2024 table and have made a good start to their campaign. The French team beat Austria 1-0 last week and will be confident ahead of this game.
The Netherlands, on the other hand, are at the top of their group and have been in excellent form in recent weeks. The Oranje beat Poland to a narrow 2-1 victory in their previous match and will look to achieve a similar result this week.
Team news
There were no injury concerns for the Netherlands in the hard-fought win over Poland and with Brian Brobbey, who missed the win with a hamstring problem, now training with the squad again, Koeman should have every man available.
The only minor problem for the Oranje boss may come in midfield as Joey Veerman’s yellow card on Sunday means he will be handed a one-match ban if he is listed here as well, but Koeman should not take such hypotheticals into account for the match. of this scope.
The Dutch coach has yet to completely close the door on Weghorst’s chances of starting after his late heroics at the weekend, but Depay – five times close to equaling Robin van Persie’s record 50 goals for the men’s team – should continue to hold off his colleague. being.
Speaking of attacking woes, Bleus fans have been anxiously awaiting news on Mbappe, who was left with a bloodied nose and shirt following the incident with Dans, but the former Paris Saint-Germain striker could still feature in the later stages of the tournament. protective mask.
However, French media have reported that Mbappe will have to sit out Friday’s crunch clash and Deschamps is expected to call on record goalscorer Olivier Giroud to fill the void; The 37-year-old has been dealing with groin soreness, but nothing that should affect his availability.
Eduardo Camavinga (ankle) and Real Madrid team-mate Aurelien Tchouameni (foot) are also expected to start, but neither should displace N’Golo Kante, who turned back the years against Austria with a diligent performance in midfield.
Netherlands possible starting lineup:
Verbruggen; Dumfries, De Vrij, Van Dijk, Ake; Schouten, Veerman; Simons, Reijnders, Gakpo; Depay
France’s possible starting lineup:
Maignan; Kounde, Saliba, Upamecano, Hernandez; Kante, Rabiot; Dembele, Griezmann, Thuram; Giroud
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