‘Bijlow kicks, Aké and Dumfries could play against Croatia’
NOS Football–
Nathan Aké and Denzel Dumfries are just fit for the Netherlands’ game with Croatia in the Nations League semifinals after playing the Champions League final. Justin Bijlow will be under the crossbar Wednesday, national coach Ronald Koeman revealed.
Aké and Dumfries joined Orange later. City defender Aké was allowed by Koeman to be at the ceremony in Manchester after winning the Champions League. That was last night.
“I thought he was allowed to join the festivities for a while, a human trait of this national coach,” Koeman said with a grin.
Spain, for example, chose not to let Rodri celebrate the tribute in Manchester. “I discussed it with City, I know the coach (Josep Guardiola, ed),” he said. At Barcelona, the national coach played alongside the English club’s coach.
Bijlow on goal
During previous internationals – against France and Gibraltar – Jasper Cillessen was on goal, but he was left at home after a down period at NEC. Against Croatia, Feyenoord goalkeeper Bijlow will be goalkeeping.
Daley Blind was named by Koeman as a replacement for the injured Matthijs de Ligt. And that while Blind has hardly played at Bayern Munich in recent months. “I don’t find it strange that he is with Oranje now,” the national coach said.
Inter defender Stefan de Vrij was also on the reserve list, but the national coach does not need him. “I have Jurriën Timber and Lutsharel Geertruida, so De Vrij is not an option,” he made clear. About which of the two will play, Koeman wanted to say little.
‘Realize we can win a prize’
Virgil van Dijk, captain of Orange, thinks the Nations League cup is a significant prize. “In 1988 we were last allowed to hold up a cup. This is also just a cup. We had less awareness of that during the previous Nations League.”
In 2019, they lost to Portugal in the final. On Wednesday night, Croatia awaits in the semifinals. Spain and Italy are also vying for a spot in the final.
Koeman has had his players train on penalty kicks. He knows the Croatians have won just about every penalty shootout series in recent years. “So the moment they lose once on penalties is getting closer and closer,” he laughed. “I believe we rarely lose in De Kuip, right?”
14,000 Croats
The Dutch last went down in De Kuip almost 23 years ago. After that defeat against Portugal (0-2), the national team often hosted the major soccer nations in the Johan Cruijff Arena.
For Croatia, the game at Feyenoord’s stadium will not quite feel like an away game. As many as 14,000 Croatians secured a ticket for the semifinal match.
