The first semi-final of the UEFA Nations League 2023 will take place early tomorrow morning (June 15) at De Kuip Stadium (Rotterdam) when the host team Netherlands hopes to overcome Croatia to win a ticket to the final, scheduled to be held on June 19.
Croatia, runners-up and third-placed at the last two World Cups, will be a stumbling block in the Netherlands' quest for a first international title since EURO 1988. The 'Oranje' were unbeaten in a group that included Belgium, Poland and Wales, although the man who led them to the finals, coach Van Gaal, resigned after the defeat to Argentina in the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup.
Gakpo is considered a good replacement for Depay in the Dutch national team's attack.
New coach Koeman will have to go one better than his previous Nations League campaign (the Netherlands were runners-up in 2019). It won't be easy with the withdrawal of talented striker Depay. However, other forwards like Gakpo and Malen have had impressive seasons, De Jong has been excellent for Barcelona and the defence is packed with top-class defenders, although De Ligt is out through injury. With a home crowd behind them in the Netherlands' loudest stadium, the 'Oranje' must be thinking about a place in the final.
For Croatia, this is seen as the last chance for their golden generation, led by Modric. "Vatreni" lost 0-3 to Austria in the opening match of the group stage at home a year ago (Modric was absent) but they have risen spectacularly by defeating Denmark twice, winning in France and Austria to take the top spot in the group and a place in the finals.
Dalic likes to tweak his strongest starting XI, so fans will certainly see some tactical changes, especially after Gvardiol missed out on the trip to the Netherlands through injury. Overall, he has a winning squad and the Croatians will give it everything they have to get through this semi-final.
Dalic is most comfortable in a 4-3-3, occasionally switching to a 4-2-3-1, although there is little difference between the two. In that, the midfield trio of Modric, Kovacic and Brozovic, plus Perisic on the left, are virtually untouchable. In other areas such as forwards, right wing and defence, he is still looking for optimal solutions.
Coach Dalic knows that the Netherlands "have a great team, especially in defence. They are very strong and they have young, strong players" but he "hopes that our fans will also make a voice" to help Croatia overcome this barrier.
However, winning is also the only goal for coach Koeman, although "facing Croatia is always difficult. They are a very strong team and we need to try our best". The Netherlands lost the 2019 final and now, "we have the opportunity at home to reach another final".
A back three, wingbacks, a diamond midfield, two fast, mobile strikers and a squad of interchangeable players have all been hallmarks of Van Gaal’s reign. Whether Koeman will stick to that formula remains to be seen, but what Dutch fans want more than anything is for their team to win.
Source link
Comment (0)