European Championship: Netherlands – France
The Euro´s are fully on. Right the day after Spain – Italy we are entertained with another cracking game between 2 european giants. Fifa ranking#7 The Netherlands play Fifa ranking#2 France. Both teams have won their first game in the group with Austria and Poland, who can secure qualification for the next round tonight?
Netherlands Team News
Koeman has no injury worries ahead of the game as his entire squad seems to be fit ahead of the clash in Group D. Brian Brobbey has returned to group training after suffering a hamstring scare last week, and although he isn’t the first player on the starting paper, he is a player with unique qualities that could be used in certain situations. It will be seen whether Koeman changes his line up, for example to accommodate Bayer Leverkusen starlet Frimpong on right wing, mixing up the right back position for Geertruida who is more complementary to Frimpoing.
France Team News
A nose has dominated the football news across Europe in the last few days. Kylian Mbappe´s most outward body part was the talk in town after he suffered a broken nose in the opening match against Austria. Covered in blood Mbappe had to be substituted. All stories and speculations were added in the media afterwards, with some people saying he needed an operation and would miss the rest of the Euro´s where others said he could play with a mask on. Whether the star player makes it will be decided just before kick off, with no decision yet to be made for now. France also has some other players doubtful ahead of the game, as Saliba, and Hernandez both suffer with minor injuries.
Netherlands Form
Netherlands are in decent form, after 2 strong victories in the preparation games before the Euro´s, where both Iceland and Canada were beaten 4-0, the Dutch managed to beat Poland 2-1 in their opening fixture of this tournament. However, things are not all positive for Oranje as the second half display against Poland should give rise to some worries for Koemn. A strong first half display with several chances missed was followed by a 2nd half where Poland for some time looked the more likely team to poach for the winning goal. However, golden substitute Wout Weghorst came to the rescue and is now 3rd in the ranking for all time goals as a substitute for the Netherlands.
France Form
France had some mixed results up ahead of the Euro´s with a loss against Germany and a disappointing draw against Canada just before the tournament. Against Austria things definitely did not go easy as Deschamps side had a lot of difficulties with Ralf Ragnick ́s pressing machine. A Wober own goal was needed to break the deadlock. However, France will get confidence from their recent results against the Netherlands, as almost all games ended in a victory for Les Bleus
What do the stats say?
- France has won 7 out of last 8 games against the Netherlands
- The Netherlands last victory against France came under Koeman in 2018
- Mbappe has scored 6 goals in 5 appearances against the Dutch
Our verdict
A big clash tonight again as these 2 heavyweights of Group D are playing. Recent results are definitely stacked in favour of the French as they won 7 out of the last 8 fixtures. However, that one defeat came at the hand of current Dutch coach Koeman in his previous stint as manager. The Netherlands will definitely hope that Mbappe will not appear as he has scored 6 goals in 5 games against the Netherlands.