Holland-Croatia is a match in the semi-finals of the Nations League Final Four and is scheduled for Wednesday at 20:45: TV, predictions.
The Netherlands are at it again. In 2019 the Oranje were one step away from what would have been their first title since the 1988 European Championship, but in the final of the first Nations League edition they surrendered to Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal. Four years later they have the chance to play it again, the Final Four. And above all the privilege of hosting it.
The final phase of the international event devised by Uefa in 2018 with the primary objective of abolishing ‘useless’ friendlies – but further clogging up the calendar – will this time be staged in the Netherlands, between the two cities of Rotterdam and Enschede, in the stadiums where Feyenoord and Twente play respectively. The first semi-final is therefore between Ronald Koeman’s men and Croatia: the winner will face one of Spain or Italy in the final. The selection that triumphs on the night of 18 June will succeed France in the roll of honour: the Bleus won the last edition, organised by Italy in the autumn of 2021, beating Spain in the final at San Siro. A fine test for the former Barcelona coach, who returned to lead his country’s selection – he had already done so in 2018-20 – following the farewell of Louis van Gaal, who left immediately after the World Cup expedition to Qatar. The Netherlands’ adventure had ended in the quarters, with the painful elimination on penalties against future champions Argentina.
Croatia dream of their first title
The Koeman 2.0 era, however, did not get off to the best start. Last March, the Netherlands began their new course with a scorching 4-0 defeat against runners-up France in the next European Championship qualifiers.
Kramaric
Match nevertheless conditioned by too many absences among the Oranje, with several starters knocked out by an intestinal virus. Holland promptly redeemed themselves by demolishing Gibraltar 3-0 in the next match. Van Dijk’s side won the Final Four by storming through their group ahead of Belgium, scoring 16 points from 18 available (five wins and one draw). Croatia, on the other hand, had a less clear-cut route to the Final Four for the first time. The red and white chequered selection of Zlatko Dalic, confirmed once again at the helm of the national team after the surprising third place achieved at the last World Cup, won at the photofinish against Denmark, but in a group in which there was also a battleship like France. There was a draw and a defeat in the first two Euro 2024 qualifying matches: Croatia drew 1-1 with Wales and then went on to win 2-0 in Turkey, joining the Welsh in first place. Dalic is eagerly dreaming of this trophy, which would be the crowning glory of a possibly unrepeatable cycle, but one that is now coming to an end. This is the third confrontation between Holland and Croatia.
In the final at the 1998 World Cup in France, the Croatians prevailed, sitting on the podium for the first time at an Olympic Games. The other head-to-head, a friendly, dates back to 2008 and ended with a clear 3-0 victory for the Dutch.
Koeman will have to do without Depay, who is struggling with a calf problem, while the two veterans from the Champions League final, Dumfries and Aké, will be there. Liverpool striker Gakpo will play in the centre of the attack between Bergwijn and Malen. On the other side, Dalic will continue to rely on the senators (Modric, Brozovic and Perisic) but will not have Gvardiol.
The Prediction
Holland slightly favoured, even in the odds. And not only because they will have the privilege of playing in front of their own fans. The absence of a player like Gvardiol in the Croatian defence is likely to prove decisive, as the Oranje can count on several quality elements from the midfield upwards. Never underestimate Modric and his teammates, however, who should be able to score at least one goal. The total goals could be more than two.
The Netherlands v Croatia matchday squad
- HOLLAND (4-3-3): Bijlow; Dumfries, van Dijk, Botman, Aké; de Roon, F. de Jong, Simons; Bergwijn, Gakpo, Malen.
- CROATIA (4-3-3): Livaković; Juranović, Šutalo, Erlić, Sosa; Modrić, Brozović, Kovačić; Pašalić, Kramarić, Perišić.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1
