UEFA Nations League: A European Clash With History and Tension

Germany vs Netherlands

World Cup, European Championship, UEFA Nations League or mid-season international, there’s no such thing as a friendly when Germany and the Netherlands clash.

And while Monday night’s meeting in Munich will not rank among the top 10 in terms of importance for either nation, UEFA Nations League 2024 highlights are anticipated.

Talking Points

Germany were my tips to be crowned European champions this year, but their hearts were left broken by a last-gasp quarter-final defeat at home to eventual winners Spain.

The Netherlands also had their hearts broken the following week, this time at the hands of England in the semi-finals, although it was widely felt that Ronald Koeman’s men had only got there by being on the more favourable side of the draw.

The Dutch remain a work in progress though, and there is much to be excited about with the likes of star midfielder Frenkie de Jong (hoping to be back soon from injury) and exciting young forwards Cody Gapko and Joshua Zirkzee in the ranks.

Defencive solidity has historically been an important factor, and that was evident in the summer with captain Virgil van Dijk leading a first-choice back four featuring the experience of Nathan Ake and Stefan de Vrij, and the attacking ambition of Denzel Dumfries.

Netherlands defender Virgil van Dijk is set to miss the UEFA Nations League match against Germany after receiving a red card — Netherlands defender Virgil van Dijk is sent off during the UEFA Nations League match against Hungary at the Puskas Arena

There is certainly genuine talent – that is without even mentioning the likes of Matthijs de Ligt, Micky van de Ven, and Jeremie Frimpong, who were often named on the bench to this SBOTOP observer’s surprise.

The chances are de Ligt will come into the starting line-up for this one following van Dijk’s dismissal in Friday’s draw in Hungary – a result which, coupled with Germany’s 2-1 success in Bosnia, courtesy of a first-half Deniz Undav double, has opened up a two-point advantage for the Julian Nagelsmann in League A Group 3.

It was a third international goal for Undav as he earned only his fifth cap and his second start.

At the same time, the Netherlands showed their character with a Dumfries equaliser coming after van Dijk saw red, so they will not be cowed by taking on their old adversaries without their defencive lynchpin.

History

Two tempestuous clashes within as many years set the tone for a modern day rivalry which has never quite gone away.

At Euro 1988, when the Dutch came from behind to beat the hosts in the semi-final, the Germans were hit so hard they didn’t leave the dressing room for half an hour after the final whistle.

Most of the German players didn’t even shake hands with the opposition and a scorer in that game, Koeman (now in his second spell as Dutch manager), revealed after the match he had wiped his backside on the German shirt he had swapped with his opponent at full-time.

When they met two years later, the bickering Dutch deservedly lost, and Frank Rijkaard spat at Rudi Voller.

They last met in a major tournament in Euro 2012 when a Mario Gomez double fired the Germans to a 2-1 success, despite a late Robin van Persie reply.

Germany have the edge in most competitive encounters with the exceptions being the 1988 and 1992 European Championships when, under the late great Rinus Michels, a Marco van Basten inspired Dutch national side claimed two major victories.

Overall, the two countries have met on 47 occasions, with the Dutch winning 12, the Germans enjoying success in 17 of the clashes, and the other 18 ending up as draws.

However, when it matters most, the Germans have usually had the edge, most notably in the 1974 World Cup Final.

This will actually be their third meeting in 2024.Germany won a home friendly in March when Maximilian Mittelstädt and Niclas Füllkrug scored the goals after a Joey Veerman opener.

When they met a month ago in Amsterdam in the UEFA Nations League, they shared four goals.

Tijjani Reijnders and Dumfries were on target for the Dutch with Undav and Joshua Kimmich replying for Germany.