Ultimately, with the aim of UEFA Nations League and end their long wait for a trophy that Netherlands start their latest season on Saturday with the host Bosnia-Herzegovina in Eindhoven.

Germany and Hungary are also represented in Group 3 of League A, so neither team can afford to fall behind – especially because third or fourth place could lead to relegation.

Game Preview

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After surviving the ‘weaker’ half of the draw at this summer’s Euro 2024 finals – finishing third in Group D – the Netherlands beat Romania in the round of 16 and then overcame Turkey to set up a semi-final against England.

However, they left Germany – where they had become European champions 36 years earlier – with a bitter aftertaste, because a belated Ollie Watkins The Three Lions’ controversial equaliser was followed by a goal that ended the race.

The Oranje also met England last time they were close to winning a title: they won 3-1 after extra time in the first semi-final of the Nations League in 2019 – and the current coach Ronald Koeman was also in the shelter at that time.

However, the hapless Dutch team ended up in second place after losing 1-0 to Portugal in the play-off. They finished fourth in the last finals of the tournament when they hosted it.

To get this far they had to finish first in a relatively easy group containing Belgium, Poland and Wales, but this season even a top-two finish would be enough to secure a place in the new Nations League quarter-finals.

With Virgil van Dijk Koeman’s side have decided to stay as captain and will therefore field the same captain in their matches against Bosnia and old nemesis Germany (the latter next Tuesday) this month.

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Bosnia-Herzegovina last faced this week’s hosts in the pandemic-postponed second edition of the Nations League, suffering a 3-1 away defeat before a goalless draw at home in late 2020.

This season they face the Oranje again after last time out they defeated Finland, Montenegro and Romania to finish first in League B, earning them promotion to Europe’s top flight.

However, the Dragons were unable to build on this momentum in qualifying for the 2024 European Championship and finished fifth in a group of six teams. Two of their three victories came against underdog Liechtenstein.

Although Bosnia’s performance in the Nations League still earned them a place in the playoffs, they lost 2-1 to Ukraine in the semi-finals, which led to the resignation of their head coach. Savo Milosevic.

Sergei Barbarez has since taken the reins, starting in June’s friendlies against Italy and England; now he will lead his team against opponents of similar calibre on Saturday.

Since a third place in Group 3 would lead to a relegation playoff and a fourth place would mean automatic relegation, Barbarez can hope to get a point in Eindhoven before moving on to Hungary next week.

Dutch form (all competitions):

Bosnia-Herzegovina form (All competitions):

Team News

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Ronald Koeman has rebuilt his squad since the Netherlands were eliminated from the 2024 European Championship. Martin de Roon And Georginio Wijnaldum were informed that they would not be considered for selection, Daley Blind announced his retirement from the national team and two key attackers were not called up.

In addition to the criticism Steven BergwijnThe star striker, who recently moved to the Saudi Pro League Memphis Depay is still without a club and Koeman has also sent the 46-goal striker onto the field.

As a result, Brian Brobbey is now the favorite to start the offensive, although Joshua Zirkzee And Wout Weghorst are also contenders – or another Premier League player, Liverpool’s Cody Gakpocould serve as a false nine.

Micky van de Ven And Joey Veerman have both cancelled due to injury, Jan Paul van Hecke And Justin Kluivert were called up as replacements.

Bosnia, meanwhile, can rely on its best goalscorer of all time Edin Dzeko (65 international goals) after the experienced striker missed the last game due to injury.

Ajax midfielder Benjamin Tahirovic could start in midfield, next to Rade Krunicformerly at AC Milan, now at Red Star Belgrade.

Sead Kolasinac of Atalanta BC is the most experienced defender of the visitors and could be used in the five-man defense on Saturday evening.

Possible starting eleven for the Netherlands:
Confidence; Dumfries, De Ligt, Van Dijk, Ake; Schouten, Gravenberch; Painting, Simons, Gakpo; Brobbey

Possible starting eleven for Bosnia-Herzegovina:
Piric; Radeljic, Ahmedhodzic, Katic, Bicakcic, Kolasinac; Gigovic, Krunic, Tahirovic, Hajradinovic; Dzeko

We think: Netherlands 3-0 Bosnia-Herzegovina

While the Netherlands were close to reaching the final of the European Championship in July, Bosnia failed in the playoffs for the 2024 European Championship due to a series of miserable results.

Therefore, Oranje should clearly defeat their opening opponent in Group 3 on home soil and thus put themselves in a good position for the heavyweight match against Germany next week.

Click here to see a data analysis of the most likely outcomes, scores and more for this match.

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