Oranje manager Ronald Koeman makes three changes in line up to face Romania
The Netherlands men’s national team manager Ronald Koeman has made three changes to the team that will face Romania in the last 16 of the European Championships in Munich compared to the side that faced Austria last week. The biggest surprise is the fact that Ajax winger Steven Bergwijn has been given his first start of the tournament.
Bergwijn has been picked ahead of Donyell Malen and Jeremie Frimpong. Malen scored an own goal in Oranje’s 3-2 loss against Austria last week and also missed a huge chance to score.
Xavi Simons has been given a spot in the midfield after Joey Veerman’s disappointing display against Austria. The midfielder from Volendam was substituted after half an hour played in the final group stage match. Denzel Dumfries is back to full fitness after hamstring complaints, so he is back at the right back spot, taking Lutsharel Geertruida’s place.
Koeman had said in the press conference on Monday that he would not be making many changes for the match in the Allianz Arena. “There is no reason for it. Of course, we were not good against Austria, but that is no reason to panic.”
Oranje’s line up in full: Verbruggen, Ake, Van Dijk, De Vrij, Dumfries, Schouten, Reijnders, Simons, Gakpo, Depay, Bergwijn.
Florin Nita will remain the starting goalkeeper for Romania. The 36-year-old has given up three goals, and stopped 13 shots. He has a clean sheet from Romania’s 3-0 victory over Ukraine in Group E, a 2-0 loss to Belgium, and a 1-1 draw against Slovakia last Wednesday.
Romania will continue with their same 4-1-4-1 formation with Denis Drăguș up front. Ianis Hagi moves from right attacking midfield to left, with former Ajax player Razvan Marin and team captain Nicolae Stanciu both at center midfield. Dennis Man will get the start as the fourth midfielder, moving Florinel Coman to the bench.
Marius Marin will begin the match at defensive midfield. The four backs behind him, from left to right, will be Vasile Mogoș, Andrei Burcă, Radu Drăgușin and Andre Rațiu. With Mogos on the pitch, Nicusor Bancu will remain on the bench.
The winner of today’s match will face either Austria or Turkey. Those two teams have a 9 p.m. kickoff in Leipzig soon after Oranje’s match.
The quarterfinal match between the two victors will take place on Saturday at 9 p.m. in Berlin. The winning team will move on to the semifinals in Dortmond at 9 p.m. on July 10, and will meet either England or Switzerland.
