The Netherlands National Football Team has made headlines with the announcement of its preliminary squad for the upcoming Nations League matches against Spain. Head coach Ronald Koeman has included notable names, most prominently the return of Memphis Depay, marking his reinstatement to the team after his absence since Euro 2024.
Depay, who has been making waves playing for Corinthians, was previously sidelined after suffering an injury during the semi-finals against England, where he only managed 35 minutes of play. Since then, he has been without international duty, but he's back on the radar following impressive performances during his time at the Brazilian club. His arrival was eagerly anticipated after Koeman's visit to Brazil earlier this month, where he and director Nigel de Jong observed him excel during competitive matches.
Koeman's return to Depay isn't purely sentimental; the Dutch team has struggled to fill the striker position effectively. With Wout Weghorst currently nursing a broken toe and other forwards like Joshua Zirkzee and Brian Brobbey failing to find the net consistently at their clubs, Depay's inclusion is seen as pivotal.
The preliminary squad comprises 25 players, and this smaller selection means some unexpected omissions. Notably absent from the list are Matthijs de Ligt and Joey Veerman. De Ligt, who usually features prominently, recently scored for Manchester United but finds himself left out this time. Similarly, PSV midfielder Veerman, who has drawn criticism for recent performances, has also not made the cut.
Alongside Depay, the squad welcomes back Frenkie de Jong. After battling injuries, the FC Barcelona midfielder is set to rejoin the ranks, adding his skills to the upcoming clashes. Koeman is expected to announce his final roster—comprising 23 players—two weeks before the matches on March 20 and March 23, with fans eager to see which players will make the final cut.
The first match against Spain will be hosted at De Kuip Stadium, Rotterdam, followed by the second leg at Mestalla Stadium, Valencia. The stakes are high, with the winner of this quarter-final clash qualifying for the semi-finals, where they will face either Croatia or France. The outcomes will determine not only the future setup of the team but could influence their chances of qualifying for the World Cup. Should the Netherlands prevail, they could find themselves grouped with teams like Turkey, Georgia, and Bulgaria. Conversely, a loss could lead to fixtures against Poland, Finland, Lithuania, and Malta.
This highly anticipated series against Spain symbolizes not just competitive rivalry but could mark the dawn of another exciting chapter for the Oranje team—especially with the return of key players who bring both experience and skill to the pitch. The gathering of talent and the blend of youth with seasoned players heightens the prospect of success against their Iberian opponents.
To summarize, the upcoming Nations League matches are set to be pivotal as Ronald Koeman looks to solidify his squad for this important competition. The inclusion of Memphis Depay signals optimism for his team, as they prepare for what could be decisive encounters against Spain. With injuries slowly resolving and players like Depay returning to form, fans of Dutch football are hopeful for what lies on the horizon.