Netherlands vs England: Three key battles in UEFA Nations League semi-final clash

Netherlands vs England: Three key battles in UEFA Nations League semi-final clash
England face the Netherlands on Thursday evening in a mouthwatering UEFA Nations League semi-final.Live commentary for the game from the Estdio D. Afonso Henriques in Portugal will be available on talkSPORT from 7.45pm.Southgate is hoping for Nations League glory4
Southgate is hoping for Nations League glory
However, the Three Lions have the difficult task of overcoming a similarly rejuvenated Netherlands side.Ronald Koeman has transformed the Dutch national team into a real force and his team is littered with immense talent.Their centre-back pairing of Virgil van Dijk and Matthijs de Ligt personifies the team: a brilliant blend of youth, experience and talent.But where will the match be won and lost? talkSPORT.com has identified three key battles that could decide the outcome of the match…

LIVE ON talkSPORT

talkSPORT is your home of live football! Here's what's coming up on talkSPORT and talkSPORT 2...
  • Portugal vs Switzerland (Wednesday, 7:45pm) – talkSPORT
  • Netherlands vs England (Thursday, 7:45pm) – talkSPORT
  • France vs South Korea (Friday, 8pm) – talkSPORT
  • Denmark vs Republic of Ireland (Friday, 7:45pm) – talkSPORT 2
  • Croatia vs Wales (Saturday, 2pm) – talkSPORT
  • England vs Scotland (Sunday, 5pm) – talkSPORT

 

VIRGIL VAN DIJK vs HARRY KANE

Van Dijk kept Kane deathly quiet in the Champions League final and the England skipper will be hoping to get his own back.The PFA Player of the Year has had a stunning season for Liverpool, helping his side to the most clean sheets in the league (22) having just conceded 22 goals throughout the campaign.Kane was kept quiet by Van Dijk in the Champions League final4
Kane was kept quiet by Van Dijk in the Champions League final
He has also just been crowned a champion of Europe and will feel he is invincible at the back.Kane will have to go into the game thinking he can get something otherwise it could be another long night for the 25-year-old.The Spurs striker is not fully match fit yet but he is sure to start due to the importance of the game.He simply has to be more involved in the match if England are to progress.Jim Proudfoot and Stuart Pearce preview the Nations League on the river in Douro Porto

RAHEEM STERLING vs MATTHIJS DE LIGT

Sterling has also had a stunning season in the Premier League, racking up 17 goals and 10 assists in his best season to date.The 24-year-old has also started scoring freely for the Three Lions, something he has struggled with in the past.The City winger has six goals in his last five outings for Southgate’s side and has become a talismanic figure for England in their last few matches.De Ligt has been momentous this season4
De Ligt has been momentous this season
However, Sterling faces the daunting task of facing another imperious Dutch centre-back.De Ligt is a phenomenal talent for someone who is still just 19 years old. His leadership skills guided Ajax to the Champions League semi-final and there is no surprising there is now an ongoing tug-of-war between Europe’s elite clubs for his signature.If De Ligt can get the better of Sterling then England’s biggest danger is nullified and the Three Lions will have a real chance of hurting the Oranje.

HARRY MAGUIRE vs MEMPHIS DEPAY

Leicester centre-back Maguire had a slow start to the season following England’s gruelling World Cup campaign, but his form picked up quickly and he ended up having another superb season for the Foxes.Maguire is definitely Southgate’s no.1 choice at the heart of defence but he will have the stern test of dealing with Dutch winger Depay.Depay has five goals in six matches for Holland4
Depay has five goals in six matches for Holland
Depay has had a great season for Lyon, racking up ten goals and ten assists as his side finished third in Ligue 1.The tricky winger always seem to play well for his national side too, having scored five times in his six outings for Koeman’s men.

Sam Allardyce insists there is more than one way of playing the modern game

Manchester United player Anthony Martial's agents send another message to his critics Manchester Evening News 11:09 28-May-19 In the last 7 days Manchester United's Anthony Martial was Premier League's most clinical player during 2018-19…

Mauricio Pochettino will be aiming to win his first piece of silverware as Tottenham boss on June 1

FC Bayern and adidas Football have unveiled the new FC Bayern home kit for the upcoming 2019/20 season, featuring a unique diamond design that pays homage to the forward-thinking architecture and unrivalled atmosphere of the Allianz Arena.
adidas Launch Bayern Munich 2019/20 Home Shirt - SoccerBible

Manchester United players celebrate their brilliant win in Cardiff
Manchester United news: Alan Brazil refuses to apologise to



England captain Harry Kane is looking forward to seeing the added "flair and flexibility" brought to the squad by newcomer Callum Hudson-Odoi. The 18-year-old Chelsea winger was promoted from
England captain Harry Kane excited by inclusion Callum Hudson

Brighton won 3-1 at Bournemouth to progress to the FA Cup fourth round
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp appears to say 'f****** hell

Pablo Hernandez is devastated following Leeds’ defeat to Derby

Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill hits back at Danish 'primitive' claims Manager of Ireland looks on during the UEFA Nations League B group four match between Irland and Denmark at
Denmark 0 Republic of Ireland 0: O´Neill´s men stand firm to

He only played a couple of minutes in the Champions League on Wednesday and could well now come in due to rotation. Less exhausted and less emotionally drained he could be successful against either Kieran Trippier or Kyle Walker-Peters.

Harry Kane is hopeful he will be fit for Tottenham's Champions League final against Liverpool after their "incredible" win over Ajax.. Kane watched on as Lucas Moura's second-half hat-trick lifted
Harry Kane insists he is ready to start for Tottenham against

Arsenal have also been linked with a move fro the 19-year-old

Boss Brock Braun Strowman was replaced by Finn Balor in the Universal title match with Brock Lesnar at the Royal Rumble on Raw Until the past edition of Monday Night Raw, WWE fans thought they were getting Brock Lesnar and Braun Strowman, one-on-one for the Universal title, for the third time at the Royal Rumble.
From the west coast to west London but will Ryan Babel ever

Bielsa was stunned at Loftus Road

Divock Origi's last-gasp winner against Everton sparked wild scenes of celebration from Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. The Reds boss invaded the pitch, sprinting and fist-pumping, before hugging goalkeeper Alisson after his team sealed a fortunate victory at the death.
Jurgen Klopp sorry for sprinting onto pitch to celebrate late

Hughes is surely fearing for his job after the result

Newcastle United news and transfers RECAP - Club sources respond to takeover talk; Almiron latest. All of your latest Newcastle United news, views and transfer gossip as the Magpies begin to
Newcastle United news and transfers RECAP - Jamaal Lascelles



The Catalan club surrendered a 3-0 semi-final first-leg lead to lost 4-3 on aggregate to Liverpool. Luis Suarez apologised for the manner of Barcelona's Champions League exit and insists the players are ready to face the "bullets" now heading for them after the failure. For the second
Suarez ready to face critics after Barcelona's Champions

Messi has four Champions League winners’ medals to his name

FA Cup: Millwall 3-2 Everton highlights. Murray Wallace scored a dramatic 94th-minute winner to earn Millwall a famous FA Cup fourth-round win over Everton at The Den.
Millwall 3-2 Everton: Marco Silva's side suffer FA Cup upset

Post a Comment

0 Comments