Poland kick-off their UEFA Nations League campaign against the Netherlands

Poland travel to the Johan Cruyff Arena to face the Netherlands in the UEFA Nations League, the first game in what looks like another tough group for them.

The last time we saw Poland in international action was against Slovenia all the way back in November 2019. But the wait is finally over, Poland return to Nations League action having retained their League A status after the format was tweaked.

The White and Reds first campaign in 2018 saw them draw Italy and Portugal, they picked up just two points and finished bottom of League A Group Three.

Their opponents Netherlands did reasonably well in the inaugural tournament however, finishing top of League A Group One ahead of the reigning World Champions France on goal difference. They went on to reach the final where they beaten by Portugal.

Holland and Poland have been drawn into a difficult group which involves the likes of Italy and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Team news

For the Netherlands, Matthijs de Ligt and Daley Blind were not named in the squad due to injuries, while Stefan de Vrij was forced to withdraw. Denzel Dumfries will also miss the clash as his wife is expecting a baby.

Poland will be without Robert Lewandowski in this game the Bayern Munich talisman is having some well-earned rest after the Bundesliga side won the Champions League.

New Netherlands manager Dwight Lodeweges expects a tough game against Poland and will look to give first international caps for some of his players:

“It is a team that presents you with choices. An adult team that plays very realistically, with a number of big boys in it.”

“Yes, otherwise I wouldn’t select them. I am not afraid to use them. They make a great impression on the training sessions.”

Poland manager Jerzy Brzeczek is expecting a tough test against the Netherlands with even the slightest mistake punishable against a top side:

“Football is a team game and the most important question will be how the whole team presents itself. Every mistake in tomorrow’s game can be ruthlessly exploited by the Netherlands.”

Head-to-head

Netherlands and Poland have met 15 times previously, with Oranje winning six of those, while three have ended in defeat.

The last was a friendly in 2016 which the Netherlands won 2-1. Vincent Janssen and Georgino Wijnaldum cancelled out Artur Jedrzejczyk’s goal to grab the win for the Dutch.