On Monday, October 14, 2024, Germany and the Netherlands will face off in a highly anticipated UEFA Nations League match at the Allianz Arena in Munich. This encounter is crucial for both teams as they vie for dominance in Group A3.
Germany, under the leadership of Julian Nagelsmann, have been in impressive form. They recently defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-1, thanks to a brace from striker Deniz Undav, and are looking to extend their unbeaten run in the Nations League. Germany’s Euro 2024 campaign showed promise, and they have carried that momentum into the current Nations League campaign.
The Netherlands, however, are dealing with several key absences. Captain Virgil van Dijk is suspended after being sent off against Hungary, and defenders Nathan Ake and Jurrien Timber are out due to injuries. Midfielders Frenkie de Jong, Teun Koopmeiners, Jerdy Schouten, and Joey Veerman are also sidelined, which could significantly impact their midfield control.
For Germany, Alexander Nubel is set to start in goal, replacing the retired Manuel Neuer and the injured Marc-Andre ter Stegen. Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala are absent due to injuries, but Deniz Undav is expected to lead the attack alongside Florian Wirtz and Serge Gnabry. The predicted lineup for Germany includes Nubel; Kimmich, Rudiger, Tah, Mittelstadt; Andrich, Pavlovic, Gross; Wirtz, Undav, Gnabry.
The Netherlands will likely field a lineup with Bart Verbruggen in goal, Denzel Dumfries and Micky van de Ven in the defense, and Matthijs de Ligt stepping in for the suspended Van Dijk. The midfield will be led by Ryan Gravenberch and Tijjani Reijnders, with Xavi Simons and Cody Gakpo supporting Joshua Zirkzee up front.
This match promises to be a thrilling encounter given the historical rivalry and the current form of both teams. Germany are favored to win, but the Netherlands have shown resilience and quality in recent outings, making this a closely contested match.