Koeman's Hopeful Outlook Amid Dutch Squad Injuries vs. France

 Koeman's Hopeful Outlook Amid Dutch Squad Injuries vs. France

Head Coach Ronald Koeman of the Netherlands gestures during a Press Conference of the Netherlands Mens Football Team at the KNVB Campus on October 9, 2023 in Zeist, Netherlands (Image-Getty)

Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman is optimistic about his team's chances in the upcoming European Championship qualifier against France, despite a string of injuries that have hit his squad. Koeman expressed his confidence during a press conference, acknowledging that they may not have the strongest team but emphasizing that unexpected results occur frequently in football.

The Dutch team has suffered losses with influential players like Frenkie de Jong, Matthijs de Ligt, Cody Gakpo, and Memphis Depay, all unavailable due to injuries. Additionally, goalkeeper Mark Flekken, Steven Berghuis, and Teun Koopmeiners have also pulled out injured since the squad was named.

Koeman attributed the high number of injuries to the crowded football calendar, stating that some are genuine football-related injuries, while others are muscle injuries. He noted that France has also experienced sudden dropouts due to injuries.

The coach expressed his frustration with the congested calendar and mentioned his attempts to address the issue with UEFA annually, but little progress has been made. He cited the example of the 2030 World Cup, which will be hosted across three continents (South America, Africa, and Europe), as an example of the challenges posed by the scheduling.

With Mark Flekken unavailable, Koeman expressed his belief in Bart Verbruggen from Brighton & Hove Albion as a goalkeeper with potential. He humorously mentioned Verbruggen's recent mistake in a match against Liverpool, saying he had already discussed it with him.

Currently, France leads Group B standings with a perfect record after five matches, while the Netherlands and Greece are tied in second place with nine points from four games, with Greece having played one more match. Koeman remains hopeful that his team can put up a strong performance against France in spite of the challenges they face.