curse, XXL squad and “currygate”… What you need to know about the Netherlands, the Blues’ second opponent

The Blues return to the Netherlands on Friday, an opponent they beat twice in the Euro qualifiers.

The Blues face the fever orange. For their second match in this Euro 2024, the Tricolores face the Netherlands, Friday June 21, in Leipzig. Winners of Poland in their first meeting (2-1), the Dutch are France’s main competitors in the race for first place in Group D, they who remain in a World Cup quarter-final lost by a breath against Argentina. The Oranges are therefore vengeful, especially since they finished second in their qualifying group for this Euro behind… the Blues.

A plethoric squad for the Oranjes

Among the 26 names that make up the Dutch list, there is certainly no huge international star. But the squad of the Oranjes nonetheless remains very well stocked. Thus, in their three-defender system, the Batavians have three defenders who could claim a starting place with the Blues: Virgil Van Dijk (Liverpool), Matthijs de Ligt (Bayern Munich) and Nathan Aké (Manchester City). Up front, the trio composed of Memphis Depay (Atlético de Madrid), Cody Gakpo (Liverpool) and Xavi Simons (loaned to RB Leipzig from PSG) also looks great.

In the absence of Frenkie de Jong (FC Barcelona), it is perhaps in the middle that the Netherlands are the least well off, even if the Schouten-Veerman pair are enjoying the glory days of PSV Eindhoven. Above all, the Dutch can rely on proven bench depth. Against Poland, it was Wout Weghorst who gave his team the victory, a few minutes after coming into play. And he is only one of the many reference players sitting on the bench, alongside, among others , Stefan De Vrij (Inter Milan), Ian Maatsen (Borussia Dortmund), Steven Bergwijn (Ajax Amsterdam), Brian Brobbey (Ajax Amsterdam) and Donyell Malen (Borussia Dortmund).

Summary: France advantage and “currygate”

On this music festival, the Blues know the score to play against the Netherlands, to avoid a false note in this Euro. Indeed, in the last eight matches between the two nations, the French team has won seven times against one defeat (0-2, in November 2018, in the Nations League). In total, the Blues have 15 victories against 11 defeats and four draws in 30 matches against the Oranjes. Recent history also confirms this trend, since the French and the Batavians have already crossed swords during qualifying for this Euro. Result: two victories for the French, including a scathing 4-0 at the Stade de France in March 2023.

A match which has since taken the name “currygate” in the land of Gouda and Van Gogh. And for good reason, the day before this meeting, several Dutch players suddenly fell ill. After investigation, the chicken curry served that day was found guilty… Still, the Blues are approaching this shock with a psychological advantage. Be careful, however, not to look down on the Netherlands, who have a positive record if we only take into account the matches in the Euro. Indeed, the Dutch beat the Blues at Euro 2000 (2-1) and at Euro 2008 (4-1), compared to a single victory for France at Euro 1996 (0-0, 5 tab 4).

Watch out for Xavi Simons, in his garden

What if it was him, the midfielder that PSG needs so much? Owned by Paris Saint-Germain but loaned to RB Leipzig last season, Xavi Simons remains in two high-flying seasons at the club. Sold to PSV Eindhoven by PSG in 2022, he burned down in the city of Philipps, before being repatriated by PSG (via a buyout clause) then sent on loan to Leipzig, without having had his chance with the Parisian club .

Still, at the Red Bull Arena (where this Netherlands-France takes place), Xavi Simons has exploded this season. Author of 10 goals and 14 assists, the attacking midfielder confirmed his potential with RB Leipzig (fourth in the Bundesliga and eighth finalist in the Champions League). At 21, he has established himself as a starter in the Dutch eleven for several months, but is still looking for a reference match with the Oranjes. In his garden in Leipzig, will Xavi Simons finally have the trigger?