Bad news for the Netherlands. On the eve of facing the Blues at the Stade de France (Friday 8:45 p.m.), in a qualifying match for the next Euro 2024, the Dutch Federation announced on its social networks that it should move from five players.
Victim of a “viral infection” according to the press release, Bart Verbruggen, the young goalkeeper from Anderlecht who, at 20, should have had his baptism of fire, Sven Botman (central defender at Newcastle United), Joey Veerman ( midfielder of PSV Eindhoven), Matthijs de Ligt (defender of Bayern Munich) and Cody Gakpo (striker of Liverpool) – revelation of the Netherlands at the last World Cup – left the training camp of the Dutch national team on Thursday Morning. The last two were expected in the starting 11.
A real headache for coach Ronald Koeman who already had to deal with the absences of Barcelona Frenkie de Jong (thigh), Ajax striker Steven Bergwijn (knee) and Inter Milan full-back Denzel Dumfries (suspended).
To compensate for these defections, the coach drew on the reserves and summoned three new players: goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen (Vitesse Arnhem), defender Stefan de Vrij (Inter Milan) and midfielder Ryan Gravenberch (Bayern Munich). “Gravenberch and Scherpen, who are training in Spain with the Dutch Juniors, will join the group in Paris,” the statement continued. De Vrij also joins the selection which then has 23 players. After the match against France, the composition of the selection will be reviewed. The Netherlands will host Gibraltar on Monday for their second qualifying game.
