Rabat – Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman has announced his starting lineup for the World Cup round-of-32 match against Morocco.
Bart Verbruggen starts in goal, with captain Virgil van Dijk partnering Jan Paul van Hecke in central defense.
Denzel Dumfries keeps his place at right-back, while Micky van de Ven returns on the left side of the defense.
Van de Ven replaces Nathan Aké in the only change from the team that started the Netherlands’ 3-1 victory over Tunisia in their final group match.
Strong dutch midfield
Koeman has kept his first-choice midfield together for the knockout encounter.
Frenkie de Jong starts alongside Ryan Gravenberch and Tijjani Reijnders.
De Jong is expected to play the deepest role and take responsibility for moving the ball out of defense.
Gravenberch will offer physical strength and ball-carrying ability, while Reijnders is likely to push forward and support the attack.
The midfield will face a technically strong Moroccan unit featuring Ayyoub Bouaddi, Neil El Aynaoui, Azzedine Ounahi and Bilal El Khannouss.
Morocco’s ability to keep possession and play through pressure could make control of the central areas one of the most important parts of the match.
Brobbey keeps his place
Brian Brobbey continues as the Netherlands’ central striker after making a major impact during the group stage.
Koeman brought Brobbey into the starting lineup against Sweden, and the forward responded by scoring twice during the opening 17 minutes of a 5-1 victory.
He then scored again against Tunisia, strengthening his position as the team’s first-choice striker.
Brobbey’s physical strength will provide a direct challenge for Morocco center-backs Chadi Riad and Issa Diop.
He will be supported by Cody Gakpo on the left and Donyell Malen on the right.
Gakpo remains one of the Netherlands’ main attacking threats because of his finishing, movement and ability to move inside from the wing.
Malen offers pace on the opposite side and will attempt to attack the space behind Noussair Mazraoui.
Netherlands starting lineup
Netherlands: Bart Verbruggen; Denzel Dumfries, Jan Paul van Hecke, Virgil van Dijk, Micky van de Ven; Ryan Gravenberch, Frenkie de Jong, Tijjani Reijnders; Donyell Malen, Brian Brobbey, Cody Gakpo.
The Netherlands are expected to use their usual 4-3-3 formation.
Dumfries and Van de Ven will provide width from the full-back positions, while Gakpo and Malen will look to move closer to Brobbey when the Dutch have possession.
Koeman has selected a lineup built to control the ball while also using the speed and physical power of his front three.
