Germany vs Netherlands

Eintracht Frankfurt’s Deutsche Bank Park forms the backdrop for a mouth-watering friendly between old foes Germany and the Netherlands.

While 2023 proved a disappointing year for Euro 2024 hosts Germany as they only managed three wins from 11 internationals (D2, L6), better days are on the horizon. Julian Nagelsmann’s team got 2024 off to a flying start, beating back-to-back World Cup finalists France 2-0 in a friendly last week. However, the ex-Bayern Munich manager can’t afford to rest on his laurels if he’s to become the fourth coach to lead Die Mannschaft to continental glory next summer. His side’s defensive frailties have yielded just three clean sheets across their last 23 outings, casting doubt on their bid to fend off the Dutch for the first time since a 0-0 friendly draw in 2012. Since that stalemate, the Germans have conceded 2+ goals in four out of five subsequent H2H meetings (W1, D2, L2).

On the other hand, the Netherlands breezed past Germany’s Euro 2024 group rivals Scotland 4-0 in their first game of 2024, making it four victories ‘to nil’ on the trot. By extension, Ronald Koeman’s free-flowing team has racked up six triumphs in their last seven internationals (L1), five of which came without conceding. Despite heading into proceedings as pre-game outsiders, the Oranje can draw confidence from avoiding defeat in ten of their last 13 showdowns against Germany (W4, D6). But with three of their four most recent H2Hs ending all square, there’s no room for complacency. Connoisseurs of action-packed football will look forward to this encounter, knowing three of those four encounters saw both sides get on the scoresheet at least twice.