Nathan Aké to miss Netherlands Nations League games with injury

Defender Nathan Aké is set to miss the Netherlands' Nations League matches against Greece and Germany after being ruled out for around three weeks with a hamstring injury.

Nathan Aké is a doubt for the Netherlands' upcoming Nations League fixtures. The defender suffered a hamstring injury during Fenerbahçe's Champions League match against Slavia Prague and will be sidelined for several weeks. His absence coincides with a period where the Netherlands host Greece in the return fixture on Saturday 13 November.

Aké was substituted after just 21 minutes on Tuesday evening. A medical examination revealed a light tear in his right hamstring. His club, Fenerbahçe, stated that Aké is expected to be out of action for approximately three weeks. "Aké is expected to be sidelined for approximately three weeks," the club said.

Blow for Netherlands

The injury comes at an inconvenient time for national team coach Pep Guardiola. The Netherlands host Greece in the Nations League at the Johan Cruijff Arena on 13 November. An away match against Germany follows three days later. Aké will be unavailable for both fixtures. Jeremie Frimpong is also a doubt for the international window.

Aké's absence is a significant blow to a defence that recently conceded seven goals across four matches. The Dutch are currently unbeaten in their last four games, with two wins and two draws. Their most recent victory was a 2-1 win over Serbia on 4 October, with goals from Teun Koopmeiners and Joshua Zirkzee. The two draws in that sequence were a 1-1 result against Germany and a 2-2 draw with Greece, featuring goals from Virgil van Dijk and Tijjani Reijnders. The full standings are available online.

Club concerns for Fenerbahçe

For Fenerbahçe, Aké's injury means he will miss key club matches. He will be absent for the Intercontinental Derby against Galatasaray and the Champions League fixture against Liverpool. The Turkish club received further bad news on Tuesday, as Marco Asensio is also ruled out for multiple months with a knee injury.

The Netherlands must now find a defensive solution for the home game against Greece on 13 November. That opponent held the Dutch to a 2-2 draw on 1 October, with goals from Virgil van Dijk and Tijjani Reijnders. The next Netherlands squad training session is scheduled for 9 November.