Will Koeman’s Mestalla Magic Repeat Against Spain? A Tough Challenge Awaited!
Koeman Aims for Victory Against Spain
National coach Ronald Koeman celebrated his 62nd birthday in a low-key manner, already focused on Sunday, when the Netherlands meets Spain again in the return quarterfinal match of the Nations League. The first leg on Thursday ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw.
Performance Improvement Required
The match held at De Kuip showcased a strong performance from the Dutch team, yet Koeman acknowledges the challenge ahead. “It will be very difficult,” he remarked, emphasizing the need to consider an opponent that learns from past matches. Reflecting on the last international encounter, Koeman noted, “We could have inflicted much more pain on them. Let’s hope we can do that tomorrow; we must improve in certain areas.”
Kluivert’s Confidence in Team’s Abilities
Justin Kluivert, who impressed during Thursday’s match, is likely to receive another opportunity in the attacking midfielder position. The Bournemouth player is aware that replicating the level of performance from the previous match will not be easy but remains optimistic: “With the qualities we have in the team, it should be possible,” Kluivert stated. “Hopefully, we can show that again tomorrow. We know what we need to do, the same or even better.”
Defensive Concerns for the Coach
One of the major concerns for Koeman is filling the left-back position. Jorrel Hato received a red card in the first leg and is now suspended, while Jurriën Timber is absent due to illness. In response, Koeman called up Ian Maatsen, an Aston Villa left-back who has joined the senior squad from the U21. Another option could be Youri Baas from Ajax, though he typically plays in the center of defense.
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| Jorrel Hato | Suspended |
| Jurriën Timber | Ill |
| Ian Maatsen | Called Up |
| Youri Baas | Alternative Option |
Memories of Valencia
The location of the match, Mestalla in Valencia, evokes memories for Koeman. He experienced a short stint there as a coach from October 2007 to April 2008 but holds fonder memories of a match during his tenure at Ajax. In November 2002, Ajax played to a 1-1 draw in Valencia, ultimately progressing to the quarterfinals of the Champions League with players like Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Rafael van der Vaart at the onset of their careers.
Looking back, Koeman remarked, “We had a lot of luck in that match. If we have that kind of fortune again tomorrow, it should go well.” Kluivert, who played for a season with a club in Valencia, echoes that sentiment, expressing his happiness to return to the beautiful stadium and club, stating, “It’s a wonderful place, both on and off the pitch.”
Match Viewing Details
The highly anticipated Nations League clash between the Netherlands and Spain will be broadcasted live on various platforms, including NPO 3, NOS.nl, the mobile app, and NOS Live on television. The pre-match coverage will commence on Sunday at 20:20, leading into the kickoff at 20:45.
