Netherlands train with fit squad ahead of Nations League deciders

Coach Xavi Hernández is putting a 23-man squad through their paces in Zeist, with Virgil van Dijk and Brian Brobbey absent, ahead of the Nations League deciders against Greece and Germany.

The Netherlands national team is training in Zeist for two decisive Nations League matches against Greece and Germany. Head coach Xavi Hernández is leading the session with a 23-man squad, but is without Virgil van Dijk and Brian Brobbey due to fitness issues.

Oranje's last outing was a 2-1 victory over Serbia on 4 October. That win was part of an unbeaten three-match run, consisting of two wins and a draw. The next challenge is already scheduled for Friday 13 November, a home match against Greece at the Johan Cruijff Arena. Three days later, a trip to Berlin to face Germany follows.

Squad without Van Dijk

Virgil van Dijk and Brian Brobbey are not present for the preparations in Zeist. The Liverpool defender and the Ajax striker are not fit enough to train. As a replacement for Van Dijk, Xavi has called up defender Sepp van den Berg. During the training, the coach also invited some players to join in. "You can also participate," Xavi said.

The group that was on the pitch was fully fit. Denzel Dumfries, Crysencio Summerville and Tijjani Reijnders were the only players present for the session. Dumfries plays for Real Madrid, Summerville for Al Hilal and Reijnders for Al-Qadisya.

Group stage at stake

The next two matches are decisive for Oranje's fate in the Nations League. The Netherlands and Greece currently share the group lead with 8 points each. Germany follows with 5 points, while Serbia is still without any. The top two in the group will qualify for the quarter-finals in March of next year.

In the last meeting between the sides, on 1 October, Oranje drew 2-2 in Greece. Virgil van Dijk and Tijjani Reijnders scored the Dutch goals on that occasion. The match against Serbia on 4 October was won thanks to goals from Teun Koopmeiners and Joshua Zirkzee, who was assisted by Reijnders.

The training in Zeist began on Tuesday 10 November at 07:14. The final update from the session followed a minute later. The match against Greece on Friday is the first of two finals in this international period.