Germany and Hungary are members of the League A Group 3 and, as such, they cannot afford to lag behind – especially since the third or the fourth place in the competition means relegation.

Having progressed through the ‘easier’ part of the draw at this summer’s Euro 2004

finals having only come through Group D in third place, the Netherlands then dispatched Romania in the last 32 before seeing off Turkey to reach this stage against England.

But they departed the land of Germany which they won the European championship 36 years back with a raw feeling in mouth after a late sensational

Ollie Watkins goal and Three Lions equalising goal yet again made them face exit.

The Oranje also faced England when they got as far as the finals in the nearest previous attempt in the Nations League, which began in 2018-19; they won 3-1 in a semi-final after extra time in June 2019, though current coach Ronald Koeman was in charge then.

But a fortunate Dutch team were second, defeated 1-0 by Portugal in the final, and they were fourth when the finals tournament was last held in the Netherlands.

To get that far, they had beaten a quite friendly group including Belgium, Poland, and Wales, however, this season to get to the new Nations League’s quarterfinal stage even a second place will be enough.

Van Dijk agreed to remain as the captain of the team, Koeman will have the same skipper as the one he is expected to take to this month’s games against bosnia followed by Germany fixture next Tuesday.

In the pandemic-affected second edition of the Nations League, Bosnia-Herzegovina last faced its hosts this week and lost 3-1 on the road before holding out for a goalless draw at home in late 2020.

After defeating Finland, Montenegro, and Romania to win League B last season and celebrate promotion to the highest division in Europe, they reunite with the Oranje this season.

The Dragons, who placed fifth in a six-team group during Euro 2024 qualification, were unable to sustain their winning streak, since two of their three victories came against Liechtenstein’s minnows.

Bosnia’s performance in the Nations

League was still good enough to get them into the playoffs, but head coach Savo Milosevic was fired after his team lost 2-1 to Ukraine in the semifinals.

After the Netherlands’ elimination from

Euro 2024, Ronald Koeman reorganized his team; midfielders Marten de Roon and Georginio Wijnaldum were informed they would not be selected, Daley Blind declared his retirement from international competition, and two important strikers were not called up.

Not only has Steven Bergwijn been criticized for his recent move to the Saudi Pro League, but Koeman has also excluded star striker Memphis Depay, who has 46 goals, and Depay is still without a club.

Benjamin Tahirovic of Ajax and Rade

Krunic, who is now at Red Star Belgrade from AC Milan, might start in midfield together.

The most seasoned defender on the visiting team, Sead Kolasinac of Atalanta BC, may be included in a back five on Saturday night.