Netherlands vs Gibraltar
European Championship Qualifying
Group B
Monday
27th March 2023
De Kuip
After Bart Verbruggen and Matthijs de Ligt, Cody Gakpo has also returned to the Dutch national team. The Liverpool attacker has recovered from a virus infection and trained on Sunday in the run-up to the home game with Gibraltar.
Koeman receives good news: Gakpo also returns to the Orange
On Saturday, national coach Ronald Koeman already received good news from De Ligt and Verbruggen, who rejoined the group. The same goes for Gakpo. Joey Veerman and Sven Botman, the other two players who had to deal with a virus infection, are still missing. It seems unlikely that the PSV player and the stopper of Newcastle United will be present against Gibraltar on Monday.
In addition to the return of De Ligt, Verbruggen and Gakpo, Koeman also has a defensive option. Denzel Dumfries was suspended against France, but can play again against Gibraltar. The right wing defender was already part of the group and just trained along this week.
No Geertruida and De Vrij
Koeman cannot rely on Lutsharel Geertruida (injured) and Stefan de Vrij (upcoming paternity). On Sunday afternoon, the Dutch national team will hold the last training session towards the home game against Gibraltar.
‘Piece of tension’ at the Orange: Koeman cites two players as an example
Playing in the shirt of the Dutch national team? According to Ronald Koeman, that is clearly a different story than coming out in a club context. The national coach mentioned two examples during the press conference in the run-up to Gibraltar-home on Sunday.
Joey Veerman was part of the selection of the Dutch national team for the first time. The PSV player would drop out with a virus infection before the game against France, but trained for that. “Then he had two moments when he lost the ball and that is not his lesser quality, because he is a very good football player on the ball,” Koeman recalled. ‘But then he loses balls and that has to do with a bit of tension.’
Koeman then also mentioned Lutsharel Geertruida, who sustained an injury against France. He said, “I don’t know, you always have to be careful with that, but maybe that also has to do with a bit of tension or making your debut. That was also the reason for me to put Jurriën (Timber) in the right back, because then you also play against Mbappé. That’s always difficult.”
