Nos Live: Oranje Faces Germany Without Van Dijk in Nations League Showdown
Van Dijk's Unexpected Absence
For the first time in over two years, the Dutch national team plays without Virgil van Dijk on Monday in Munich against Germany. This rare absence of the suspended captain, who was sent off against Hungary, opens doors for others, especially Micky van de Ven.
Opportunity for Van de Ven
In June 2022, former coach Louis van Gaal allowed Van Dijk to rest, missing Nations League matches. Since then, he has been a constant on the field for the Netherlands. In a streak of 30 consecutive internationals, Van Dijk only missed starting placement in a friendly against Canada this year.
- Bondscoach Ronald Koeman's press conference starts at 17:55, available via livestream.
- The Nations League match against Germany is set for 20:45.
- Viewers can follow the action on NPO 3, NOS.nl, and the NOS app.
As with Frenkie de Jong’s absence leading to positive outcomes in midfield, Van Dijk's absence offers opportunities for other players. Koeman hinted on Friday that Van de Ven is the logical candidate to step in, especially with Nathan Aké sidelined with an injury. The 23-year-old Tottenham Hotspur player has appeared in eight of his nine matches so far, primarily as a left-back.
This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.