Matthijs de Ligt will act as captain of Orange for the first time on Tuesday, as it became clear on Monday at the press conference prior to the Nations League game against Wales. Jasper Cillessen is fit enough to keep goalkeeper.
“Matthijs de Ligt is the captain and starts centrally in the defense,” said national coach Louis van Gaal at the press moment in Zeist, where De Ligt also joined.
The Juventus player is not an undisputed basic player under Van Gaal, and certainly not central in the three-man defence. “It is the first time under this trainer that I will play there, but it is not an unknown position for me.”
De Ligt is the youngest Orange captain since Stefan de Vrij (22 years and 3 months) in 2014 against Ecuador, a duel in the run-up to the World Cup. At the time, De Vrij wore the band during the last eleven minutes.
Cillessen missed the Nations League game against Poland (2-2) last Saturday, but has now recovered from the bruise he sustained.
Van Gaal confirmed that Vincent Janssen will also play, something the national coach had already announced. The attacker from the Mexican Monterrey returns to Orange after five years.
Orange at the top of the group
In the first three Nations League games, the Netherlands had seven points left, with which it leads the dance in its group.
The game against Wales will be played in De Kuip and starts on Tuesday at 8.45 pm. Referee on duty is the Romanian Horatiu Fesnic.
Standings Nations League group Orange
- 1. Netherlands 3-7 (+4)
- 2. Belgium 3-4 (+2)
- 3. Poland 3-4 (-4)
- 4. Wales 3-1 (-2)