Netherlands vs Ukraine preview: Group C favourites collide

Group C: Netherlands vs Ukraine, kick-off 8pm (UK time, ITV)

The Netherlands will be hoping to summon the spirit of 1988 when they kick off their Euro 2020 campaign against Ukraine tonight.

The former European champions are bidding to win their first major trophy in 33 years and will want to make a strong start at the Johan Cruyff Arena.

Opponents Ukraine are featuring in their third consecutive European Championship as an independent nation but have never managed to make it past the group stage.

They will have a good chance of doing that this summer, with relative minnows Austria and North Macedonia completing the Group C line-up.

Building up Dutch courage

Frank de Boer now has 11 games under his belt as Netherlands manager but his 45.5% win percentage will do little to strike fear into Ukrainian hearts.

The Oranje have enjoyed some moderate success in recent months, beating Gibraltar 7-0, Georgia 3-0 and Latvia 2-0, but also suffered a disappointing 4-2 defeat to Turkey in March.

They will face a fierce Ukraine side who enjoyed their best-ever qualifying campaign for a major tournament, winning six and drawing two of their eight games en route to the Euros.

Young guns

Having been in and around the top 10 of FIFA’s world rankings, the Netherlands dropped to 22nd in 2016.

It has been a rebuilding job since then. Now ranked 16th, a new generation are reviving hopes of success, with the likes of Frenkie de Jong, Ryan Gravenberch and Matthijs de Ligt emerging as top talents.

Ukraine, meanwhile, boast the fourth-youngest squad in the tournament, with an average age of 26 years and four months.

One of their hottest prospects is 18-year-old central defender Illya Zabarnyi.

He enjoyed a breakout season at Dynamo Kyiv, starting 20 league matches as the Ukrainian champions romped to the title in 2020-21. 

Manager Andriy Shevchenko is viewing the youthful nature of his squad as a positive.

He said: "The minimum aim is to get out of the group. We have a good, young team and if the players are well prepared and injury-free we can do it."

Virgil disarray

The Netherlands were dealt a major blow last October when Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Missing one of the world’s best defenders is going to have a bearing on any side but experienced Ajax ace Daley Blind is an able deputy. 

The 31-year-old is comfortable moving the ball up the pitch and his ability to stop opposition attacks could well prove key for the Dutch.

The Depay conundrum

The Netherlands’ biggest attacking threat will be Memphis Depay.

A free agent this summer, the 27-year-old has been linked with Barcelona following a successful stint in France with Lyon. 

And De Boer is weighing up whether to play him through the middle or out on the left flank, with Depay known to prefer a central striking role.

He has scored three goals in the last two matches that the Netherlands set up in a two-striker system — but De Boer is keeping everyone guessing.

Discussing his tactical approach, he said: "It is important that you listen to what players feel comfortable with.

"On the other hand, it also depends on opponents. Where does Depay have the most return for himself and the team? I look at what the team needs."

Dark horses

Appointed in 2016, Shevchenko has won 21 of his 44 matches in charge of Ukraine, mostly setting up in a 4-3-3 formation.

His side enjoyed a 2-1 win over Portugal in October 2019 and a 1-0 victory over Spain last year, so are clearly capable of beating the best on their day.

It is a tall order but a victory against the Netherlands would see Ukraine become favourites to win Group C and progress to the knockout phase for the first time.

Then all eyes would all be on the Eastern European side, who could be an outside bet to spring a surprise and go deep in the tournament.