Dutch coach Ronald Koeman hopes injury-depleted side can upset France in Euro 2024 qualifier

AMSTERDAM – Netherlands football coach Ronald Koeman hopes his side can pull off victory over France in Friday’s European Championship qualifier, even if they have been hard hit by injuries.

“I see crazy results every week,” he told a press conference on Monday. “We hope to have such a plan on Friday that we can make it very difficult for France and also get a (reasonable) result.

“Of course, we realise that we do not have the strongest team. But that means nothing in football, I see matches and results every week where you think: how did that happen?”

However, he also said the match with Greece next Monday would be even more important.

Said Koeman: “I believe that we can get a result against France on Friday. Of course, the match against Greece is even more important, but everything you achieve against France can also make it easier afterwards.

“It is clear that the result in Greece will be crucial for this group.”

France head the Group B standings with a 100 per cent record after five matches. The Netherlands are tied in second place on nine points from four games, along with Greece who played one game more.

The Dutch had lost influential midfielder Frenkie de Jong, defender Matthijs de Ligt and strikers Cody Gakpo and Memphis Depay before naming their squad last Friday.

Since then, goalkeeper Mark Flekken and midfielders Steven Berghuis and Teun Koopmeiners have also pulled out injured.

With Brentford’s Flekken withdrawing from the match in Amsterdam, Koeman believes Bart Verbruggen from Brighton & Hove Albion is a goalkeeper for the future.

"As long as Bart doesn't play the shallow balls in his own box," Koeman said, joking about the mistake Verbruggen made in the 2-2 draw with Liverpool on Sunday. “I’ve already talked to him about that.”

The Oranje squad features seven uncapped players in goalkeepers Nick Olij and Andries Noppert; defenders Micky van de Ven, Quilindschy Hartman, Jeremie Frimpong and Ian Maatsen; as well as striker Brian Brobbey.

There is also a clutch of players with fewer than eight caps, such as goalkeeper Verbruggen, defender Lutsharel Geertruida and midfielders Xavi Simons, Tijjani Reijnders, Joey Veerman, Mats Wieffer and Calvin Stengs.

“What's the reason for all those withdrawals? That purely has to do with the calendar. They are sometimes real football injuries, but I also see a lot of muscle injuries. France also suddenly has three dropouts,” Koeman said.

Malo Gusto has also been called up in place of injured defender Jules Kounde. Meanwhile, Axel Disasi, called up by France coach Didier Deschamps on Monday as an injury replacement for Dayot Upamecano, has been forced to withdraw with a thigh problem. In his place comes Castello Lukeba.

“But it seems that nothing can be done about the calendar, which is impossibly full. I try to discuss it every year at Uefa, but it only seems to get crazier. Just look at the 2030 World Cup, with matches in three continents,” Koeman added, referring to games being played in Europe, Africa and South America.

Deschamps also hit out at plans for the 2030 Finals.

Fifa last week named Morocco, Spain and Portugal as hosts of the tournament, while Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay will also host the opening matches to mark the tournament’s centenary.

Said Deschamps: “Beyond the fact that it’s a trend, organising it over multiple countries, there is also the distinctive aspect of matches being held on the continent of South America.

“I don’t know which countries will be involved, it will mean that the South American countries will be at an advantage and then the other countries will have to move around. REUTERS, AFP