We are ready as the last round of games in the Nations League before the one-month break begins, and this time it’s between the Netherlands and Germany. Germany comes into this game after a blowout against Hungary, where they won 5-0, but their opponent also scored 5 in the first round in their game against Bosnia, finishing 5-2. Both sides are relying on young talent, with German youngsters Musiala, Wirtz, and Pavlovic all scoring against Hungary, while Simmons and Zirkzee also scored in their game.
The Netherlands are looking good after their game against Bosnia, with their front three each scoring one. Holding Bosnia to only 25% possession, the Oranje cruised to a 5-2 victory. With the squad looking very similar to their Euros team, Ronald Koeman hopes to get his team further than a semifinal after allowing a devastating extra-time goal against England. Their Euros run was very mediocre, going to the playoffs as the best third-place team in the group after Austria and France, but this time around, Koeman and his team are looking to prove themselves.
Germany, after their 5-0 victory against Hungary, is looking strong, with their youngsters showing prowess. Wirtz, Musiala, and Pavlovic all scored, and all three are under 21. Niclas Füllkrug also found the back of the net, now having 14 goals in 22 matches as the 31-year-old West Ham striker is set to play his 12th cap for Germany. With Joshua Kimmich as captain, the Bayern Munich player hopes to guide his team to a first-place spot. Julian Nagelsmann now leads his team against a much tougher opponent in the Netherlands.
Zirkzee is expected to keep his place as striker, with Simons and Gakpo at his sides. Midfielders Marten de Roon and Georginio Wijnaldum are out of the squad, alongside Bergwijn. Micky van de Ven and Joey Veerman are both out with injuries, but Jurrien Timber made his return to the center-back position, so expect him to get some minutes alongside Van Dijk.
Germany is hoping for their young players, like Wirtz and Musiala, to fill the roles of retired veterans like Neuer, Gündoğan, Kroos, and Müller. Ter Stegen will be in goal, and expect Tah to start alongside Schlotterbeck in defense, as Real Madrid star Rüdiger is rested. Leroy Sané still has trouble with injuries and was not called up, so there will probably be no changes up top.
We will likely see similar lineups from both teams, with both sides expected to start the same players as in their first games.
Netherlands (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Dumfries, De Ligt, Van Dijk, Aké; Schouten, Reijnders; Malen, Xavi, Gakpo; Weghorst.
The probable lineup for Germany in the "system of play. Germany (4-2-3-1): Ter Stegen; Kimmich, Tah, Schlotterbeck, Mittelstädt; Andrich, Pavlović; Musiala, Groß, Wirtz; Havertz.
