Nations League | League A

Nov 19, 2024 at 7.45pm UK

Stadion Bilino Polje

Bosnia H'vinavs.Netherlands

Match preview

This is the third time in four Nations League campaigns that the Netherlands will be present in the knockout rounds. They're aiming to do better than their runners-up finish in the 2018-19 edition and also improve on their disappointing fourth-placed ranking on home soil last year.

Koeman's team guaranteed their spot in the quarter-finals by beating Hungary 4-0 on Saturday. Wout Weghorst and Cody Gakpo both scored from the penalty spot in the first half, and Denzel Dumfries and Teun Koopmeiners added two more in the second.

The result at Amsterdam ArenA was almost irrelevant following a worrying medical emergency involving Hungary coach Adam Szalai in the first half. Thankfully, medical personnel arrived on the scene quickly and the former Magyars international has since provided a reassuring update from his hospital bed.

Despite the worrying situation, the Netherlands handled the situation with professionalism, securing a second-placed finish in the section behind leaders Germany. All the outcomes in League A Group 3 have been decided before the final matchday.

Saturday's win meant that the Dutch team could no longer be caught by Hungary. It also ended a three-game winless sequence for Oranje in the Nations League. However, Koeman's men have failed to triumph in either of their away matches in the 2024-25 competition so far.

The travelling Dutch fans should be pretty confident that their team can end League A Group 3 on a high in Zenica, even though they're up against a Bosnia-Herzegovina side that's been beaten pretty badly.

Before Saturday's trip to Freiburg in Germany, the Golden Lilies had never lost by more than five goals. But that's all changed now! Florian Wirtz (2), Tim Kleindienst (2), Jamal Musiala, Kai Havertz and Leroy Sane tore Sergej Barbarez's men to shreds at the Europa-Park Stadion.

Die Mannschaft's performance was merciless and guaranteed what was almost a formality before the game: Bosnia-Herzegovina will be playing League B football during the next Nations League cycle. This continues their theme of promotion followed by immediate relegation since the inaugural 2018-19 edition.

At the time of writing, Bosnia-Herzegovina have the worst defensive record in the whole UEFA Nations League, having conceded no fewer than 16 goals in their five matches. They have now lost 10 of their last 11 games, drawing the other one, during a truly disappointing spell of form.

That run includes a 5-2 loss to the Dutch on September 7, though they managed to hold off the 2010 World Cup finalists during their only previous match in Bosnia, a 0-0 draw in the 2020-21 Nations League with just 1,600 fans in attendance.

Recent Performance

Bosnia-Herzegovina Nations League form:LDLLL

Bosnia-Herzegovina form (all competitions):LLDLLL

Netherlands Nations League form:WDDLW

Netherlands form (all competitions):LWDDLW

Team News

Club managers everywhere were relieved to see that the Netherlands came through their win over Hungary without any additional fitness concerns. With nothing meaningful at stake, Koeman will probably make a few changes.

It's likely that Liverpool trio Virgil van Dijk, Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch will be given a rest, as will Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, who has been plagued by injuries. On the other hand, Matthijs de Ligt, Koopmeiners and Jeremie Frimpong should all feel optimistic about their chances of starting.

There's also the question of who'll be in goal. Nick Olij, who plays for Sparta Rotterdam, is the only uncapped player in the Dutch squad, but Mark Flekken is likely to be the first choice if Bart Verbruggen is given a break.

The relegated hosts will at least be able to welcome defender Nikola Katic back from suspension for the final matchday, but his fellow defenders Jusuf Gazibegovic and Nihad Mujakic both missed out on Saturday's squad due to injury.

The Golden Lilies boss probably won't risk either man for Tuesday's game with nothing at stake, but there should still be some changes, as 38-year-old attacking figurehead Edin Dzeko was surprisingly named on the bench at the weekend.

The former Manchester City striker didn't get any playing time on Saturday night, so he should be good to go to partner Ermedin Demirovic. However, Benjamin Tahirovic, who plays club football in the Netherlands with Ajax, should keep his spot in the midfield.

Possible starting lineup

Bosnia-Herzegovina possible starting lineup:

Vasilj; Dedic, Katic, Bicakcic, Barisic, Burnic; Tahirovic, Huseinbasic; Hajradinovic; Dzeko, Demirovic

Netherlands possible starting lineup:

Flekken; Rensch, De Ligt, De Vrij, Hato; Wieffer, Timber; Frimpong, Koopmeiners, Lang; Brobbey