Portugal-Holland is a match in the group stage of the European Under-21 Championship 2023 and will be played on Saturday at 18:00: news, formations and predictions.
The most sensational result of the first day of the group stage was undoubtedly the knockout of reigning champions Portugal against newcomers Georgia.
An unexpected and almost impossible-to-predict misstep for the selection that reached the podium two years ago in Hungary and Slovenia, which now risks complicating qualification for the knockout phase. Two goals in the space of ten minutes, conceded before momentarily re-entering the dressing room, disorientated Rui Jorge’s national team, who were unable to get their heads back up, failing to score on numerous occasions in the second half, and ending the match in a numeric inferiority due to Araujo’s expulsion. The 2-0 loss on the opening day against the hosts, who were beaten 4-1 in a friendly last September, forced the coach to make some changes ahead of the match against Holland, which at this point is looking like an in or out game. The Jong Oranje also ran out of goals as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Belgium.
Surprising result when you consider that both sides missed a lot in goal. It is no coincidence, in fact, that the main protagonists of the challenge in Tbilisi were the two goalkeepers, who were constantly called into question.
Timber
Holland confirming the trend of recent friendlies: in their last five matches, Erwin van de Looi’s men have scored more than a goal on only one occasion. There are thirteen previous meetings between the two teams, with Portugal ahead: the Lusitanians have prevailed five times over the Dutch, the last time in the 2020 European Under-21 qualifying round (later postponed to 2021 due to Covid).
The prediction
Both have been disappointing from an attacking point of view in their respective debuts, failing to realise any of the goal-balls they have constructed: from two selections accustomed to shining in the ball possession phase, frankly more was expected. In this direct confrontation, the two attacks should unblock themselves, scoring at least one goal each in a match that must be won at all costs to avoid an elimination that would make noise.
The official line-ups for Portugal-Holland
- PORTOGALLO U21 (4-3-3): Biai; Zé Carlos, Amaro, Penetra, Nuno Tavares; Joao Neves, Dantas, André Almeida; Conceicao, Araujo, Pedro Neto.
- OLANDA U21 (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Rensch, van Hecke, van de Ven, Hartman; Timber, Gravenberch; Ekkelenkamp, Taylor, Summerville; Brobbey.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-1
