Thessaloniki’s Toumba Stadium will host a telling Nations League night as Greece, the early pace-setters in League A Group 2, welcome Xavi Hernández’s Netherlands at 20:45.
The Greek side have made the strongest start in the section and arrive with victories over both Serbia and Germany. Netherlands have also beaten Serbia and held Germany, leaving this third-round meeting with an important place in the developing group picture.
Greece’s early statement in Group 2
- Greece opened their campaign with a 2-1 win away to Serbia.
- They followed it by defeating Germany 1-0, a result that put them top of Group 2.
- Netherlands drew 1-1 with Germany before taking a 2-1 victory against Serbia.
Xavi urged his Dutch players to approach the hosts with caution rather than fear. “We should not be afraid of Greece, but we must respect them,” he said at Wednesday’s press conference at the stadium. “They are playing well and have a great deal of talent, particularly in attack. It will be a difficult match.”
Four Dutch changes in Thessaloniki
Xavi makes four alterations from the side that overcame Serbia. Jurrien Timber, Quinten Timber, Guus Til and Ruben van Bommel come into the team, with Van Bommel handed his first senior Oranje start. The forward is the son of former Netherlands international Mark van Bommel.
Jan Paul van Hecke and Cody Gakpo are absent through injury, while Ryan Gravenberch and Tijjani Reijnders also make way.
Greece coach Ivan Jovanovic introduces three new starters: Manolis Saliakas, Dimitris Kourbelis and Fotis Ioannidis.
Starting line-ups
Greece
Tzolakis; Saliakas, Mavropanos, Retsos, Tsimikas; Karetsas, Kourbelis, Androutsos, Tzolis; Ioannidis, Pavlidis.
Netherlands
Verbruggen; Dumfries, Jurrien Timber, Van Dijk, Van de Ven; Til, Veerman, Quinten Timber; Summerville, Meerdink, Ruben van Bommel.
