The Netherlands finished runners-up in the inaugural Nations League in 2019, although perhaps the Dutch side can go one better when it comes to the 2023 finals. They have been handed a winnable clash against Croatia in Rotterdam and there will be plenty of motivation from a group of players who will want to demonstrate their worth to returning manager Ronald Koeman.
Gini Wijnaldum is back from injury and in the squad after the Roma midfielder missed out on the 2022 World Cup, with the vice captain adding some clout in that department, while Virgil Van Dijk and Memphis Depay making a strong spine to a Dutch side who can also count on players such as Cody Gakpo, Denzel Dumfries and Frenkie de Jong.
Croatia were beaten semi-finalists in the 2022 World Cup, with the team handsomely beaten by eventual champions Argentina. It was rumoured that some of the older players in the squad might consider standing down, although Luka Modric and Co have stayed put and will now step out in this Nations League encounter for this proud country.
Zlatko Dalic has been hugely successful in charge of this European side and there will be a fierce desire to win something for Croatia, with Modric not having the distraction of Champions League matters after Real Madrid’s semi-final defeat against Manchester City. We might expect an entertaining encounter between these two vibrant teams.