Poland-Holland is the fifth match of the Nations League on Thursday at 20:45.
POLAND – HOLLAND
Since Louis van Gaal’s return, the Netherlands have rediscovered goals, play and, above all, the confidence they lost at the last European Championships. The Oranje have not lost since June last year, since the defeat in the round of 16 against the Czech Republic that surprisingly ousted them from the continent’s top competition. Under the former Barcelona, Ajax and Bayern Munich coach, who has been appointed selector for the third time in his career, they dominated the qualifying round of the upcoming World Cup – by the way, they were drawn in a group with Senegal, Ecuador and Qatar, which is well within reach – and are currently one step away from the Final Four of the Nations League.
After missing out in the last edition, they could return four years later, having lost the final to CR7’s Portugal in 2019. The Netherlands lead League A Group 4 with 10 points, three more than Belgium, the only remaining obstacle between the Tulips and the final stage of the event.
Van Gaal’s men can even qualify one round earlier: they need only not lose to Poland and hope that the Red Devils lose to Wales in Brussels. If the gap should remain the same, then next Sunday’s match in Amsterdam will be decisive, although the Netherlands can even afford to lose by a few goals, bearing in mind that they won the first leg with a resounding 1-4 victory.
As for Poland, relegation is a remote possibility, as the last place should be reserved for Wales, who have only scored one point in four matches so far. Lewandowski and his teammates, on the other hand, have four, and the only victory came against the British, who were beaten 2-1 in Wroclaw. Czeslaw Michniewicz’s selection have been rather inconsistent, having beaten the Welsh, lost twice to Belgium – including an incredible 6-1 – and drawn 2-2 with the Netherlands.
Louis van Gaal
The Prediction
The Netherlands are close to their Final Four goal and will start as slight favourites in the Warsaw match. However, a victory for them is less obvious than it may seem. Poland are always fearsome at home – the first leg ended 2-2 – and could give Louis van Gaal’s men a run for their money, especially with Lewandowski in a state of grace. Both are likely to score.
Poland-Holland squad line-ups
- POLAND (4-2-3-1): Szczesny; Bereszynski, Bednarek, Kiwior, Reca; Krychowiak, Linetty; Frankowski, Zielinski, Zalewski; Lewandowski.
- HOLLAND (3-5-2): Cillessen; de Ligt, van Dijk, de Vrij; Dumfries, Berghuis, Koopmeiners, F. de Jong, Malacia; Gakpo, Memphis.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-2
