Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman is set to ring the changes as his Dutch side will take on Malta in a World Cup qualifier in Groningen on Tuesday night.
The Dutch are looking to pick up another three points to bolster their hopes of securing top spot in the group and a berth in next year’s World Cup in the US.
Koeman said he will not select the same 11 names for the World Cup qualifier against Malta on Tuesday as he did against Finland last Saturday, despite the fact that all 22 players in his selection are fit and available.
“We will make some changes,” says Koeman, “because we want to be good and fresh for 90 minutes. So it will not be the same team.”
The national coach will only announce on Tuesday morning which eleven players will be at the kick-off in the Euroborg Stadium.
“I don’t think players should read that in the newspaper or see it on TV.”
Koeman noticed that his players are struggling with fatigue after a long season with their clubs.
“That’s logical. Every national team has to deal with that. But it is the Dutch national team, an honor to play for. And you play at home. Those are reasons to go all out,” he said.
The Dutch coach said that he does not want to take into account the fact that several players in his selection, Nathan Aké, Denzel Dumfries, Stefan de Vrij and almost certainly also Tijjani Reijnders, will have to participate with their teams in the Club World Cup in the United States from next week.
“I think that we as a Dutch team are more important at the moment than a club later,” he said.
“Moreover, I personally don’t have much to do with the Club World Cup, but I’ve said that before. So it’s logical that I don’t take that into account.”
One player who will be looking to score a goal tonight is former Manchester United and Barcelona forward Memphis Depay, who needs two goals to equal Robin Van Persie’s record of 50 goals with the Dutch national team.
“Memphis has to perform, he has to be important,” Koeman said.
“Eventually he will reach that record. Attackers are selfish anyway. They want to play and score goals. It makes sense that it is in the back of his mind. If you are so close, you can be proud of that.”
Van Dijk not thinking about his holidays yet
Dutch captain Virgi van Dijk is heading into the match on the back of a long season with Liverpool, where he helped them to the English Premier League title.
However, the towering defender said that he is fully focused on the match against Malta.
“I don’t look at it that way. I am completely focused on beating Malta, and if that goes well, I will definitely enjoy my holiday afterwards,” he said.
Playing football at eighty percent is not an option for Van Dijk.
“If you’re like that, you have no business here. I’m the captain, I feel the responsibility. I want to qualify for the World Cup, just like the other guys in the team, and I hope just like the rest of the Netherlands,” he said.
“Then you have to win tomorrow. It doesn’t matter how. Of course you want to do that with good football, with a lot of goals, but the most important thing is that we win.”
Van Dijk, who is almost 34, is positive about the future of Oranje.
“Let’s hope so. Players are now entering their prime, playing at the highest level, nationally and internationally. But you have to keep showing it,” he concluded.