Cody Gakpo among Dutch players out with virus ahead of match against France | OneFootball

The Netherlands have travelled down to France with a depleted squad ahead of their Euro 2024 qualifier against France on Friday as a result of a virus in the team, with Cody Gakpo and Matthijs De Ligt notably among the players who are absent.

The Liverpool forward and the Bayern Munich man were expected to start tomorrow evening for Ronald Koeman’s team. Also out with a viral infection are Joey Veerman, Sven Botman and Bart Verbruggen.

The former Barcelona manager, now on his second stint in charge of the national team, has also had to deal with several injury absences – with Frenkie De Jong out with a thigh injury and Steven Bergwijn suffering a knee issue, while Denzel Dumfries is suspended. As a result, three new players have been called up to the team, namely Stefan de Vrij of Inter Milan, Ryan Gravenberch from Bayern Munich, and Vitesse Arnhem goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen.

For the French, meanwhile, Randal Kolo Muani is expected to start up front while Ibrahima Konaté and Dayot Upamecano form the national team’s new centre-back pairing, in front of Mike Maignan.

GFFN | Raphaël Jucobin