Xavi again left Feyenoord captain Luciano Valente out of the Netherlands squad, while Gjivai Zechiël was included. The Netherlands host Greece on Friday 13 November and visit Germany on Monday 16 November in their final two UEFA Nations League group-stage matches.
Van Bronckhorst on Valente’s omission
At Friday’s press conference, Giovanni van Bronckhorst said: “Well, it doesn’t surprise me, because he wasn’t there last time either. And I think it’s still almost the same squad that Xavi has called up. So in that respect, no, it doesn’t surprise me.”
Zechiël returns to the squad
Zechiël made his Netherlands debut under Xavi during the previous international break. Asked whether Zechiël deserved it more than Valente, van Bronckhorst said: “Well, that’s up to the national-team coach.”
He added: “I think Zechiël has had a great spell. He’s finding things a little more difficult now. But he has my confidence and the national-team coach’s.”
Van Bronckhorst also said: “I think that’s important for players, too. It’s also the only way to start delivering and performing again. So in that respect, I understand why Zechiël is in the squad. All the more so because, of course, he came on and did very well in the previous matches. And that is, of course, a factor for a national-team coach.”
The Netherlands’ final group matches
The Netherlands and Greece are level on points, with the Netherlands top of Group B, while Germany are three points behind. The top two teams advance to the knockout stage next year.
