NETHERLANDS are taking on Romania in a tough last-16 clash at the Allianz Arena RIGHT NOW!
Edward Iordanescu’s side are one of the biggest surprise packages of the Euros so far after they topped Group E ahead of Belgium, Slovakia and Ukraine.
Meanwhile, the Netherlands have been underwhelming so far at Euro 2024 and only managed to sneak through to the knockout stages as one of the best-ranked third-placed sides.
The winner of tonight’s last-16 clash will take on Austria or Turkey in the quarter-finals.
- TV channel/ live stream: BBC One/ BBC iPlayer
- Romania team: Nita, Ratiu, Dragusin, M Marin, Hagi, Burca, R Marin, Dragus, Man, Stanciu, Mogos
- Netherlands team: Verbruggen, Ake, Van Dijk, De Vrij, Dumfries, Reijnders, Schouten, Gakpo, Simons, Bergwijn, Depay
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Romania 0-0 Netherlands
5. We have a slight break in play as Stanciu receives some treatment for a cut to the top of his head.
There are whistles and jeers when the Dutch are in possession due to the sheer number of Romanian fans.
Both teams are trying to find a foothold in the game early on.
Romania 0-0 Netherlands
3. Romania have started with a high-tempo.
They are giving the opposition no time on the ball at all.
Dragus closes down Verbruggen and almost blocks the Dutch keeper’s clearance.
Romania 0-0 Netherlands
1. It is rare you see the Dutch fans outnumbered in a major tournament but the Romanians may have them beat here.
The Allianz Arena is a sea of yellow with its pocket of orange.
Netherlands look to start on the front foot.
Kick-off: Romania vs Netherlands
We are underway in Munich.
This could be a game that offers us a lot of goals today.
Netherlands get the match started.
Romanians raising the roof for kick-off
It is not just the Dutch fans who are getting in the party atmosphere for this ’round of 16′ game.
The Romania fans are loving the fact that their team have made the knockout phase of a major tournament again.
The Allianz Arena is going to be a cauldron of noise for this one.
Credit: Getty Credit: Reuters Orange army hits Munich in style
One thing you cannot question with the Netherlands, their fans have lit up Euro 2024.
Today is no different as they headed to the Allianz Arena.
This is before a ball is even kicked, it could be absolute scenes should they progress to the quarter-finals.
Netherlands need to answer critics
Having ended up finishing in third place in the group, many Dutch fans were underwhelmed by their performances.
The knockout phase is often seen as where tournaments really begin, making this match this evening all the more important.
Netherlands will need to flex their attacking muscle today and put Romania to the sword if they are to get the fans back onside.
Hoping to relive Euro ’88
Netherlands had a famous victory in the tournament, beating USSR 2-0 in the final.
Goals from Gullit and van Basten sealed victory for the Dutch.
However, this is the goal that lives on to this day and every fan knows where they were when it was scored.
Nothing to lose, everything to gain
Nobody predicted Romania getting to the ’round of 16′ phase.
As a result, they can play with freedom in this game as the Dutch come into the tie as heavy favourites.
Ronald Koeman’s side need to wary, there is nothing more dangerous than a team who feel they can just go out and throw caution to the wind.
Dutch hold advantage in tie
Romania have won only one of their fourteen matches against the Netherlands in all competitions (D3, L10).
In those matches, Romania have only scored three goals while they have conceded twenty-nine.
Their last victory over the Dutch was a 1-0 win in a qualifying campaign for the Euros in October 2007.
Netherlands starting XI:
Simons returns to the line-up for this pivotal game for the Dutch in Euro 2024:
1. Verbruggen, 5. Ake, 4. van Dijk, 6. de Vrij, 22. Dumfries, 14. Reijnders, 24. Schouten, 11. Gakpo, 7. Simons, 25. Bergwijn, 10. Depay
Credit: @onsoranje Romania starting XI:
Edward Iordanescu names his starting line-up for this massive tie against the Dutch.
1. Nita, 22. Mogos, 15. Burca, 3. Dragusin, 2. Ratiu, 6. M.Marin, 10. Hagi, 21. Stanciu, 18. R.Marin, 20. Man, 19. Dragus
Credit: @hai_romania Party atmosphere in Munich
As fans of both teams head to the Allianz Arena, it is really a carnival atmosphere in and around the ground.
The knockout phases add a little something different to the meaning of these games with the stakes so high.
For one set of fans, they will be partying long into the night, for the others that long trip home becomes a reality.
Credit: AFP Credit: AFP Koeman needing to succeed
Netherlands will be expected to make it to at least the quarter-finals of Euro 2024.
For some of their players, it is their last chance to try and win the tournament.
Sat on the easier side of the draw, it provides a huge chance for them to focus on trying to make it to the semi-finals where a potential tie against England could await.
Tricolours with upset in their sights
Romania continue to impress at Euro 2024.
After topping their group, they will come into this knockout game with no fear whatsoever.
Austria will have given the Romanians confidence that they are more than capable of upsetting the odds in Munich this evening.
Netherlands looking to set record straight
Speaking the media, Netherlands’ striker spoke about their defeat in the last group game:
We must ensure that we learn from our mistakes. We had discussions and criticised each other and it is normal that there is friction if the results do not go as you want them to go. It’s logical that there will be irritations. But that’s behind us now. There’s a good spirit among the group and we are looking forward.
Memphis Depay
Pressure on Dutch to perform
Netherlands came into this tournament fancied to challenge for the trophy.
After their first two group games, one of which they were robbed of victory by a dodgy VAR decision, many were surprised by their defeat to Austria.
Ronald Koeman’s side will be looking to bounce back from that defeat against Romania this evening.
Romania continue to surprise in Germany
Not many would have predicted that Romania were going to finish on top of Group E.
In a very tight group, Iordanescu’s team edged out some European heavyweights.
After a 24-year absence from the knockout phases, this will be a monumental game in Munich where this side can make history against the Dutch.
Welcome to Romania vs Netherlands
Romania face the Netherlands in Munich in this ‘round of 16’ tie looking to continue their Euro 2024 campaign but claiming another big scalp.
Iordanescu will be without left-back Nicusor Bancu after amassing two yellow cards after he picked up a caution against Slovakia.
Right-back Vasile Mogos and Dejan Sorescu are regarded the two main contenders to replace Bancu with the former expected to get the nod due to his defensive experience, which would mean Andrei Ratiu shifting out to the left.
One bit of good news for Romania is that two-goal man Marin has been training fully which will give Iordanescu the best kind of attacking dilemma as Ianis Hagi, Dennis Man, Florinel Coman and Valentin Mihaila are all battling for the spots either side of Denis Dragus.
Netherlands have a fully fit squad available for selection in Munich, but a tactical change is expected in midfield after Joey Veerman was brought off after just 35 minutes of their group loss against Austria.
Xavi Simons is expected to replace him which will mean Tijjani Reijnders dropping into a deeper role alongside Jerdy Schouten, who will miss any quarter-final if booked this evening.
Joshua Zirkee is now back in training once again following a brief illness, but having broken his Euros duck last time out, Memphis Depay is expected to keep his spot in attack as he chases down Robin van Persie’s record of 50 goals for his country.
Depay is just four goals short of that tally.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
