UEFA Nations League

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Nations League | League A

Sep 7, 2024 at 7.45pm UK

Philips Stadion

Netherlands
5 - 2
Bosnia H'vina

Zirkzee (13'), Reijnders (45+2'), Gakpo (56'), Weghorst (88'), Simons (90+2')

FT(HT: 2-1)

Demirovic (27'), Dzeko (73')
Demirovic (76'), Gazibegovic (86')

Netherlands lineup vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina: Predicted XI for Nations League contest

By Jonathan O'Shea

Published: September 5 2024 | 12:48

Last updated: September 5 2024 | 13:53

Depay dropped, Zirkzee to start? Predicted Netherlands lineup vs. Bosnia

Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how the Netherlands could line up for Saturday's Nations League clash with Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The Netherlands commence their latest UEFA Nations League campaign on Saturday evening, as they welcome Bosnia-Herzegovina to Eindhoven for their first League A Group 3 fixture - but one of Ronald Koeman's main men will miss out on the action.

A mainstay of the Oranje attack under ex-Barcelona boss Koeman, mercurial striker Memphis Depay is still without a club after leaving Atletico Madrid, so despite being his nation's top active goalscorer he has not been called up.

Another forward shown the cold shoulder by Koeman is Steven Bergwijn, who recently left Ajax for the Saudi Pro League and has now paid the price with his place in the national squad.

Furthermore, Marten De Roon and Georginio Wijnaldum have both been informed they will no longer be considered for selection, while versatile defender Daley Blind has stepped away from international football to concentrate on his club career.

Amid such change, Virgil van Dijk decided to stay on as captain following a heart-to-heart meeting with Koeman, and the Liverpool defender could start alongside Matthijs de Ligt in a back four, as Inter Milan's Stefan de Vrij has been left out.

Another Premier League player is also in contention, with Jan Paul van Hecke coming in for the injured Micky van de Ven earlier this week; meanwhile, Bournemouth winger Justin Kluivert has replaced Joey Veerman.

With Depay absent, Brian Brobbey, Joshua Zirkzee and Wout Weghorst will battle it out to lead the line up front, though the latter is usually preferred in a substitute role, when opposing defenders have tired.

Alternatively, Liverpool's Cody Gakpo could fill in as a false nine. His clubmate Ryan Gravenberch may benefit from an impressive start to the season - he will vie with Jerdy Schouten and Tijjani Reijnders for selection in midfield.

Netherlands possible starting lineup: Verbruggen; Dumfries, De Ligt, Van Dijk, Ake; Schouten, Gravenberch; Malen, Simons, Gakpo; Brobbey