France vs Netherlands live updates: Confirmed line-ups and team ...
Michael Dominski and Noah Murray
March 24, 2023 at 3:30 PM EDT
France host the Netherlands in Paris at 7.45pm GMT (3:45pm ET) as both nations begin their campaign to qualify for Euro 2024.
France XI: Maignan, Kounde, Konate, Upamecano, T. Hernandez, Griezmann, Tchouameni, Rabiot, Coman, Kolo Muani, Mbappe
Netherlands XI: Cillessen, Timber, Geertruida, Van Dijk, Ake, De Roon, Wijnaldum, Taylor, Berghuis, Memphis, Simons
March 24, 2023 at 3:30 PM EDT
Dutch renaissanceWith Lutsharel Geertruida, Xavi Simons and Kenneth Taylor all making their first career start for the Dutch national team tonight, it's the first time that three different players have done so in the same match for the Netherlands since October 10, 2015.
Michael Dominski·
Live Reporter
March 24, 2023 at 3:25 PM EDT
Cillessen passes StekelenburgJasper Cillessen earns his 64th cap for the Dutch national team today, surpassing Maarten Stekelenburg as the goalkeeper with the third-most appearances for the Netherlands.
He trails only Edwin van der Sar (130) and Hans van Breukelen (73) in terms of goalkeepers appearances for the team.
Michael Dominski·
Live Reporter
March 24, 2023 at 3:20 PM EDT
First cap for Geertruida
Lutsharel Geertruida makes his international debut in this match after receiving his first call-up to the Dutch national team for this window of matches.
He had previously been called up to the Curacao national team's preliminary squad for the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup, but did not appear for them.
Geertruida has been essential to Feyenoord this season, deployed at centre-back, right-back and as a defensive midfielder. Ronald Koeman has opted to use him as the right-sided centre-back today.
His Feyenoord team are six points clear at the top of the Eredivisie after defeating Ajax 3-2 in the last game before the international break, with Geertruida's late header clinching the win for the Rotterdam side.
(All photos by Getty Images)
Noah Murray
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Derby Days, Amsterdam: De Klassieker
March 24, 2023 at 3:10 PM EDT
Turnover in Dutch squadRonald Koeman has brought in several new faces and one old, familiar face to the Dutch XI today:
Lutsharel Geertruida, a 22-year-old full-back from Feyenoord, makes his international debut at the age of 22.Kenneth Taylor, a 20-year-old Ajax midfielder, makes his first career start for the Dutch national team, after appearing three times as a substitute including once in the World Cup.Xavi Simons, a 19-year-old who has impressed for PSV this season, also makes his first career start after appearing as a substitute once during the World Cup.And finally, Georginio Wijnaldum, now with Roma, starts for the first time since November 2021.
Michael Dominski·
Live Reporter
March 24, 2023 at 3:00 PM EDT
New faces in France's line-upFrance's XI has seven holdovers from their starting line-up in the World Cup final.
Mike Maignan, Ibrahima Konate, Kingsley Coman and Randal Kolo Muani replace Hugo Lloris, Raphael Varane, Ousmane Dembele and Olivier Giroud.
Coman is the only player among the four newcomers with more than 10 caps to his name.
Michael Dominski·
Live Reporter
March 24, 2023 at 2:50 PM EDT
Netherlands team newsNetherlands' XI to take on France:
Michael Dominski·
Live Reporter
March 24, 2023 at 2:40 PM EDT
France team newsFrance's XI to face the Netherlands:
Michael Dominski·
Live Reporter
March 24, 2023 at 2:30 PM EDT
Memphis PanenkaThe last time these two nations met, Memphis capped off a 2-0 victory for the Netherlands in Nations League group play with this sweet penalty:
Michael Dominski·
Live Reporter
March 24, 2023 at 2:20 PM EDT
How to watch France vs NetherlandsIn the UK: Viaplay Sports 1
In the US: Fubo
Michael Dominski·
Live Reporter
March 24, 2023 at 2:10 PM EDT
Van Dijk vs MbappeCould we see a repeat of this matchup tonight?
Michael Dominski·
Live Reporter
March 24, 2023 at 2:00 PM EDT
Uncapped player profile: Brice Samba
Lens' goalkeeper Brice Samba was one of the new names in Didier Deschamps' squad.
Samba, who is likely best known for his time at Nottingham Forest who he helped to promotion last season, will be looking to make the most of the opening provided by Hugo Lloris' international retirement.
Samba, who became a cult hero at the City Ground, is a slightly eccentric keeper who feels comfortable roaming outside his area, whilst also possessing high quality shot-stopping abilities.
Lens' finished seventh last season, but currently sit third in Ligue 1 as they push for Champions League qualification next season.
Samba has been ever-present (28 games) conceding 21 and keeping 11 clean sheets, joint with Donnarumma (PSG) and second only to Yehvann Diouf of Reims with 12.
The keeper was also eligible to play for Congo, the country of his birth, but has opted to play for his adoptive homeland.
I highly recommend checking the video of Samba's call up in the tweet below.
(All photos by Getty Images)
Noah Murray
March 24, 2023 at 1:50 PM EDT
Derby Days, Amsterdam
Ajax against Feyenoord is a tale of two cities, a ferocious rivalry that defines the very nature of "modern Dutchness".
It's a game in which reputations are forged. Or wrecked.
Carl Anka tells the story of the 201st Klassieker, check out his piece below.
(All photos by Getty Images)
Michael Dominski·
Live Reporter
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Derby Days, Amsterdam: De Klassieker
March 24, 2023 at 1:40 PM EDT
Derby Days, Marseille
The rivalry between Marseille and PSG is young and was first encouraged by club owners seeking a brand fixture in the 1980s.
But the enmity between the cities is deep.
Greg O'Keeffe experienced Le Classique in the rebel city, check out his story below.
(All photos by Getty Images)
Michael Dominski·
Live Reporter
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Derby Days, Marseille: Le Classique
March 24, 2023 at 1:30 PM EDT
Uncapped player profile: Brian Brobbey
Brian Brobbey, 21, has represented the Netherlands at every level from U15, he came through the Ajax youth academy where he played since he was eight years old.
Brobbey left Ajax in 2021 to join RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga. However, the striker struggled to make an impact in Saxony.
The strong yet nimble striker returned to Ajax in January 2022, which was subsequently made permanent for £14.5m ($17.75m) in the summer.
Since returning he has scored 12 goals in 1546 minutes (128.8 mins per goal) as he fights to become the main striker at the club, a case that is strongly made in his extremely high per 90 xG numbers (0.76).
(All photos by Getty Images)
Noah Murray
March 24, 2023 at 1:20 PM EDT
Lloris steps up injury recoveryHugo Lloris returned to action in a behind-closed-doors friendly yesterday as he steps up his recovery from a knee ligament injury.
Lloris, who retired from international football earlier this year, played 45 minutes against Ipswich Town at Tottenham’s training ground, with neither side in first-team action over the weekend due to the international break.
The 36-year-old has been sidelined since Tottenham’s Premier League victory over Manchester City on February 5, missing nine matches. Fraser Forster has deputised in his absence.
Michael Dominski·
Live Reporter
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Hugo Lloris steps up injury recovery in behind-closed-doors Tottenham friendly
March 24, 2023 at 1:10 PM EDT
Mbappe on becoming captainKylian Mbappe has spoken about the honour of being named France's new captain:
Michael Dominski·
Live Reporter
March 24, 2023 at 1:00 PM EDT
Late withdrawal: Sven Botman
It is a real mystery how Sven Botman has not earned a Netherlands cap yet and that wait will have to continue as he is a late withdrawal due to illness.
Netherlands are undoubtedly fortunate with the quality of the centre-back options but Sven Botman should likely have been capped at least 18 months ago.
Botman is from just outside Amsterdam and came through the youth system at Ajax.
He spent the 2019-20 season on loan at Heerenveen, after impressing in the Dutch second division with the Ajax reserve team.
His time at Heerenveen caught the eye of Christophe Galtier earned earning him a move to Lille, where he won Ligue 1 in his first season in northern France.
A strong second season followed, in which Botman was consistently linked with Newcastle and AC Milan in particular. Botman eventually chose a move to Newcastle this summer where he has been an excellent performer as Newcastle push for a Champions League spot.
Botman's perhaps one draw back is he is not the quickest player. However, he reads the game incredibly well, as demonstrated against Manchester City, which enables him to make up for some of his shortcomings with exceptionally timed challenges.
(All photos by Getty Images)
Noah Murray
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The making of Sven Botman: How Newcastle’s Dutch defender ‘became a monster’
March 24, 2023 at 12:50 PM EDT
England have been blessed with goalscoring centre-forwards for 40 years. Has anyone else?
England have been blessed with a steady stream of elite centre-forwards since 1984: Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, Michael Owen, Wayne Rooney and Harry Kane.
Can France, the Netherlands, or any other international team rival them for consistent goalscoring excellence during that time?
Michael Cox explores below.
(All photos by Getty Images)
Michael Dominski·
Live Reporter
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England have been blessed with goalscoring centre-forwards for 40 years. Has anyone else?
March 24, 2023 at 12:40 PM EDT
The Athletic Football Podcast: Weekend PreviewDan Bardell is alongside George Elek, Steve Freeth and Nick Miller as they react to England beginning their Euro 2024 qualification campaign with a win over Italy.
Oli Kay sends his thoughts on Harry Kane becoming England's all-time leading scorer in Naples, and Tim Spiers is in Stockholm ahead of a potential international return for Zlatan Ibrahimovic aged 41.
Plus, the panel take stock of what's happening in the Premier League ahead of the final throes of the campaign following this week's international action.
Listen here!
Michael Dominski·
Live Reporter
March 24, 2023 at 12:30 PM EDT
Uncapped player profile: Lutsharel Geertruida
Lutsharel Geertruida has received his first call-up to the Dutch national team, after being called up to the preliminary squad for the Curacao national team for the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Geertruida has been essential to Feyenoord this season, deployed in centre-back, right-back and defensive-midfield this season. It is most likely that Koeman has selected Geertruida as a defensive right-back option.
His Feyenoord team are six points clear at the top of the Eredivise, after defeating Ajax 3-2 in the last game before the international break, with Geertruida's late header clinching the points for the Rotterdam side.
I recommend taking a look at the article attached below to see more about the derby and the game:
(All photos by Getty Images)
Noah Murray
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Derby Days, Amsterdam: De Klassieker
