Euro 2024

[monks data]

Euro Champ Qualifying | Group Stage

Sep 10, 2023 at 7.45pm UK

Aviva Stadium

Rep. Ireland
1 - 2
Netherlands

Idah (4' pen.)
Bazunu (18'), Ogbene (42'), Knight (67')

FT(HT: 1-1)

Gakpo (19' pen.), Weghorst (56')
Wieffer (16'), Gakpo (67'), Weghorst (87')

How the Netherlands could line up against the Republic of Ireland

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter

Published: September 8 2023 | 09:22

Last updated: September 9 2023 | 22:28

How the Netherlands could line up against Ireland

Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how the Netherlands could line up for Sunday's Euro 2024 qualifying Group B clash with the Republic of Ireland.

Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman may be sweating over the fitness of defender Nathan Ake ahead of Sunday's Euro 2024 qualifying Group B battle with the Republic of Ireland in Dublin.

Oranje returned to winning ways with a 3-0 triumph over Greece on Thursday, where Ake picked up a first-half caution before being taken off during the break with a reported hamstring issue.

Ake was able to train on Friday, albeit in apparent discomfort, but Koeman may avoid taking any risks with the Manchester City man's fitness given his recent history of injuries, as Stefan de Vrij seeks a recall to the backline.

The Inter Milan centre-half is poised to join Virgil van Dijk and Lutsharel Geertruida in front of Mark Flekken, as Bayern Munich's Matthijs de Ligt is forced to accept a substitute role again.

Fresh from a magnificent three-assist display against the Greeks, Denzel Dumfries will no doubt line up on the right flank once again, while Daley Blind wins his 103rd cap on the left-hand side.

Marten de Roon's opener on Thursday saw the Atalanta BC man register his first international goal at senior level, and the 32-year-old ought to link arms with Frenkie de Jong in the centre of the field once again.

Despite not finding the back of the net at the Philips Stadion - his former stomping ground - Xavi Simons wowed the Eindhoven crowd with a scintillating individual display and should join the other two goalscorers on the night - Cody Gakpo and Wout Weghorst - in the final third.

Netherlands possible starting lineup: Flekken; Geertruida, De Vrij, Van Dijk; Dumfries, De Roon, De Jong, Blind; Simons, Gakpo; Weghorst