The Nations League opens in Group A2 with Netherlands hosting Germany, a first competitive night carrying added weight as Xavi Hernández and Jürgen Klopp begin their respective spells in the two dugouts. The meeting starts a new international cycle for both sides, with familiar European rivals placed immediately under the pressure of group-stage points.
A2 begins with two new managers
Xavi takes charge of the Netherlands for the first time, while Klopp makes his debut as Germany coach. Their first selections place the contest at the centre of the opening round, with two nations accustomed to deciding major European nights now beginning a fresh Nations League campaign against one another.
- Match: Netherlands vs Germany
- Competition: UEFA Nations League
- Group: A2
- Round: Matchday 1
- Significance: First match in charge for Xavi Hernández and Jürgen Klopp
Expected starting teams
The Netherlands are set to begin with Bart Verbruggen in goal behind a defence of Denzel Dumfries, Jurrien van Hecke, Virgil van Dijk and Micky van de Ven. Ryan Gravenberch, Quinten Timber and Tijjani Reijnders form the midfield, with Samuel Summerville, Brian Brobbey and Cody Gakpo named in attack.
Germany’s proposed XI has Marc-André ter Stegen in goal. The back line features Treu, Nico Schlotterbeck, Jonathan Tah and Brown, while Joshua Kimmich, Jamal Musiala and Nmecha are positioned across midfield. Karim Adeyemi, Kai Havertz and Schade lead the forward line.
| Netherlands | Germany |
|---|---|
| Verbruggen | Ter Stegen |
| Dumfries, Van Hecke, Van Dijk, Van de Ven | Treu, Schlotterbeck, Tah, Brown |
| Gravenberch, Timber, Reijnders | Kimmich, Musiala, Nmecha |
| Summerville, Brobbey, Gakpo | Adeyemi, Havertz, Schade |
Options available from the benches
The Dutch squad includes Roefs and Flekken as goalkeeper alternatives, with Geertruida, Hato and Aké among the defensive options. Lang, Frimpong, Til, Meerdink, Veerman, Koopmeiners and Van Bommel are also available.
Germany can call on Dahmen and Nübel, alongside Bisseck, Rosenfelder, Engelhardt, Amiri, Vagnoman, Stach, Führich, Gnabry, Behrens and Ebnoutalib.
- Netherlands options: Roefs, Flekken, Geertruida, Hato, Aké, Lang, Frimpong, Til, Meerdink, Veerman, Koopmeiners, Van Bommel.
- Germany options: Dahmen, Nübel, Bisseck, Rosenfelder, Engelhardt, Amiri, Vagnoman, Stach, Führich, Gnabry, Behrens, Ebnoutalib.
