Dutch strikers expect more space in clash against Germany

Netherlands striker Cody Gakpo believes there will be more space for his team to attack in today’s Nations League clash away to Germany after a difficult game with Hungary on Friday when the Dutch met stubborn resistance from the home defence.
The Netherlands take on Germany three days after they drew 1-1 with Hungary in their Group A3 game in Budapest, coming from behind to snatch a late equaliser through Denzel Dumfries after captain Virgil van Dijk was sent off.
“I expect more space. Germany will play a bit more forward and be a bit more open, which will create spaces for us,” said Gakpo at a press conference on Sunday.
The Netherlands drew 2-2 with Germany last month in an open and attacking game in Amsterdam and a similar style encounter is expected for the return in Munich.
Germany lead the standings on seven points, two more than the second-placed Netherlands after three games.
“It was difficult for us because of how they played,” added coach Ronald Koeman of the Hungary game. “In the second half it went better, with more deep runs. There was space on the wings but we didn’t use that well.”
Gakpo’s Liverpool teammate Van Dijk will be missing as he sits out a one-match ban after Friday’s red card.
“Virgil is an exceptional player, but now we are obliged to replace him. There are other good players who can do that,” Gakpo added.
Koeman said either Stefan de Vrij or Dumfries would replace Van Dijk as captain and added that whoever got the armband had big shoes to fill.
“Virgil is someone who coaches a lot from the back. Now others have to do that. Some people are more capable of that than others and it also has to do with experience. I certainly think it will be interesting to see how that works in the team now that Virgil is not there. He has almost always been available,” Koeman told the press conference.

Belgium eye France win
Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco has urged his players to be brave and clinical against France as his side seek a first competitive victory over their neighbours in 43 years in their Nations League A Group 2 clash in Brussels on Monday.
Belgium trail pool leaders Italy by three points and second-placed France by two at the mid-way point in the group, needing to finish in the top two to qualify for the quarter-finals.
Defeat at home and an expected win for Italy over Israel could effectively end their hopes to reach the knockout stages with two rounds left to play.
“We must be brave against France. We won’t get many opportunities and we have to finish the ones we get,” Tedesco said.
“We won’t be able to put pressure on them for 90 minutes, so it’s also important to defend well in our own box. It’s going to be a big game.”
Belgium, who are without Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku after they asked not to be considered for this international window, earned a 2-2 draw in Italy on Thursday having been two goals behind inside 24 minutes.
Tedesco is hoping his side will start better against France, who won 2-0 in Lyon when the teams met last month.
“We didn’t start well (against Italy),” he said.
“We wanted to be compact, but we were way too impatient. And that quick (first) goal did not help. We are just human. It is in my character to also talk about the bad things. We must not hide that.
“But the match lasted 90 minutes, not half an hour. I want to emphasise that we showed a good response. With this young group it was anything but a bad result against Italy.”
Belgium have not beaten France in a competitive match since a World Cup qualifier in 1981. Their two victories since then have both beat in friendly fixtures, the last in 2015.