May 30 – Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman selected Frenkie de Jong and Memphis Depay despite fitness concerns for his Euro 2024 squad. Belgian manager Domenico Tedesco sprung a surprise by including veteran Axel Witsel in his 25-man squad.
“Frenkie will report for the team on Saturday, but things are going well,” said Koeman. “The first group match (against Poland in Hamburg on June 16) is feasible (for him to play). We have had a troubled cycle with many injuries. You make choices and sometimes they are difficult.”
Borussia Dortmund’s Ian Maatsen was omitted from the squad. He will play in the Champions League final on Saturday against Real Madrid in London.
“The reason is that there are several guys in his position and they are given preference. (Nathan) Ake, (Micky) Van de Ven and (Daley) Blind. It gives me the opportunity to bring an extra attacker,” said Koeman.
Koeman featured for the Netherlands himself in 1988, the last time the Dutch won the European Championship. In Germany, the Netherlands take on Poland, France and Austria in Group D.
Earlier this week, neighbours Belgium named a 25-man list that included Atletico Madrid’s Witsel but omitted Michy Batshuayi and Thibaut Courtois. On the back of his fine club form and with tons of experience, Tedesco sees Witsel as an asset. He can play both in defence and midfield.
Tedesco said: “I have had Axel in my mind for a long time, even during the qualification. It’s about quality, Witsel offers a lot of quality. He is a key player at Atlético Madrid. I met him, wanted to see him, look into his eyes. We need him, he has experience and can help the young players. Experience in that position is important. We are playing a European Championship, that is no small thing.”
In Madrid, Tedesco did not go and see Courtois. The pair fell out over the captain’s armband.
Netherlands
Goalkeepers: Justin Bijlow (Feyenoord), Mark Fleken (Brentford, England), Bart Verbruggen (Brighton & Hove Albion, England)
Defenders: Nathan Ake (Manchester City, England), Daley Blind (Girona FC, Spain), Stefan de Vrij (Inter Milan, Italy), Lutsharel Geertruida (Feyenoord), Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan, Italy), Matthijs de Ligt (Bayern Munich, Germany), Jeremy Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), Micky van de Ven (Tottenham Hotspur, England), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool, England)
Midfielders: Frenkie de Jong (FC Barcelona, Spain), Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool, England), Teun Koopmeiners (Atalanta, Italy), Tijjani Reijnders (AC Milan, Italy), Jerdy Schouten (PSV Eindhoven), Xavi Simons (RB Leipzig, Germany), Joey Veerman (PSV Eindhoven), Georginio Wijnaldum (Al Ettifaq, Saudi Arabia)
Forwards: Steven Bergwijn (Ajax Amsterdam), Brian Brobbey (Ajax Amsterdam), Memphis Depay (Atletico Madrid, Spain), Cody Gakpo (Liverpool, England), Donyell Malen (Borussia Dortmund, Germany), Wout Weghorst (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany).
Belgium
Goalkeepers: Koen Casteels (VfL Wolfsburg), Thomas Kaminski (Luton Town), Matz Sels (Nottingham Forest)
Defenders: Timothy Castagne (Fulham), Maxim De Cuyper (Club Brugge), Zeno Debast (Anderlecht), Wout Faes (Leicester City), Thomas Meunier (Trabzonspor), Jan Vertonghen (Anderlecht), Arthur Theate (Stade Rennais), Axel Witsel (Atletico Madrid)
Midfielders: Yannick Carrasco (Al Shabab), Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City), Orel Mangala (Olympique Lyonnais), Amadou Onana (Everton), Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa), Arthur Vermeeren (Atletico Madrid), Aster Vranckx (VfL Wolfsburg)
Forwards: Johan Bakayoko (PSV Eindhoven), Charles De Ketelaere (Atalanta), Jeremy Doku (Manchester City), Romelu Lukaku (Roma), Dodi Lukebakio (Sevilla), Lois Openda (RB Leipzig), Leandro Trossard (Arsenal).
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