Netherlands vs England: Three key battles in UEFA Nations League semi-final clash

Netherlands vs England: Three key battles in UEFA Nations League semi-final clash
England face the Netherlands on Thursday evening in a mouthwatering UEFA Nations League semi-final.Live commentary for the game from the Estdio D. Afonso Henriques in Portugal will be available on talkSPORT from 7.45pm.4

Southgate is hoping for Nations League glory

However, the Three Lions have the difficult task of overcoming a similarly rejuvenated Netherlands side.Ronald Koeman has transformed the Dutch national team into a real force and his team is littered with immense talent.Their centre-back pairing of Virgil van Dijk and Matthijs de Ligt personifies the team: a brilliant blend of youth, experience and talent.But where will the match be won and lost? talkSPORT.com has identified three key battles that could decide the outcome of the match…

LIVE ON talkSPORT

talkSPORT is your home of live football! Here's what's coming up on talkSPORT and talkSPORT 2...

• Portugal vs Switzerland (Wednesday, 7:45pm) – talkSPORT
• Netherlands vs England (Thursday, 7:45pm) – talkSPORT
• France vs South Korea (Friday, 8pm) – talkSPORT
• Denmark vs Republic of Ireland (Friday, 7:45pm) – talkSPORT 2
• Croatia vs Wales (Saturday, 2pm) – talkSPORT
• England vs Scotland (Sunday, 5pm) – talkSPORT

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VIRGIL VAN DIJK vs HARRY KANE

Van Dijk kept Kane deathly quiet in the Champions League final and the England skipper will be hoping to get his own back.The PFA Player of the Year has had a stunning season for Liverpool, helping his side to the most clean sheets in the league (22) having just conceded 22 goals throughout the campaign.4

Kane was kept quiet by Van Dijk in the Champions League final

He has also just been crowned a champion of Europe and will feel he is invincible at the back.Kane will have to go into the game thinking he can get something otherwise it could be another long night for the 25-year-old.The Spurs striker is not fully match fit yet but he is sure to start due to the importance of the game.He simply has to be more involved in the match if England are to progress.Jim Proudfoot and Stuart Pearce preview the Nations League on the river in Douro Porto

RAHEEM STERLING vs MATTHIJS DE LIGT

Sterling has also had a stunning season in the Premier League, racking up 17 goals and 10 assists in his best season to date.The 24-year-old has also started scoring freely for the Three Lions, something he has struggled with in the past.The City winger has six goals in his last five outings for Southgate’s side and has become a talismanic figure for England in their last few matches.4

De Ligt has been momentous this season

However, Sterling faces the daunting task of facing another imperious Dutch centre-back.De Ligt is a phenomenal talent for someone who is still just 19 years old. His leadership skills guided Ajax to the Champions League semi-final and there is no surprising there is now an ongoing tug-of-war between Europe’s elite clubs for his signature.If De Ligt can get the better of Sterling then England’s biggest danger is nullified and the Three Lions will have a real chance of hurting the Oranje.

HARRY MAGUIRE vs MEMPHIS DEPAY

Leicester centre-back Maguire had a slow start to the season following England’s gruelling World Cup campaign, but his form picked up quickly and he ended up having another superb season for the Foxes.Maguire is definitely Southgate’s no.1 choice at the heart of defence but he will have the stern test of dealing with Dutch winger Depay.4

Depay has five goals in six matches for Holland

Depay has had a great season for Lyon, racking up ten goals and ten assists as his side finished third in Ligue 1.The tricky winger always seem to play well for his national side too, having scored five times in his six outings for Koeman’s men.

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