Greece visit Netherlands on Friday, 13 November, level on points at top of Nations League group

Travel and preparations

Greece's squad flew from Athens' Eleftherios Venizelos airport on the morning of Thursday, 12 November, bound for Amsterdam. The trip is aimed at securing a place in the Nations League quarter-finals, which the team is still chasing. Defender Dinos Mavropanos spoke on the players' behalf at the pre-match press conference held that day. Dimitris Kourbelis travelled with the group despite an injury picked up in Asteras Tripolis's match against Kalamata, and he is racing to be fit in time. A training session at the Johan Cruijff ArenA was listed for 20:00, and the match itself is set for 21:45 on Friday, 13 November.

Level at the top of the group

Greece and the Netherlands are level on points at the top of League A Group B, and Friday's game is the fifth matchday fixture for both sides. The two teams last met in Thessaloniki at the Toumba stadium, where the game ended 2-2. Mavropanos said that meeting showed Greece can compete with teams of this quality, and he set out how he sees the opposition.

“We know the Netherlands have quality and high-level players. We handled them well, especially in the first half.”

He added that the Dutch like to keep the ball and look for gaps between the lines, and that the Greek side will follow the coach's plan. Xavi, the Netherlands coach, took a critical view of his own side's start in Greece. He said the team did not show the courage required in the first half of that match and that it wants a different picture in Amsterdam. Xavi described Friday's match as decisive for the group.

Netherlands squad news

Frenkie de Jong has been named the new captain, with Denzel Dumfries as vice-captain and Cody Gakpo next in the order, Xavi said. The coach said all his players are fit and well prepared for the fixture. Virgil van Dijk is absent for Friday's game, and Xavi said that absence is no excuse for a weaker performance. Jurrien Timber can play as a central defender, a full-back or in midfield, according to the coach. Xavi added that he has not yet decided his starting line-up, that Sepp van den Berg has been called up, and that De Jong's return to action is welcome news.

Greek preparations and supporters

Ivan Jovanović, the Greek coach, spoke at the press conference about how demanding the fixture will be and how his squad will approach it. He said the squad enjoys playing games of this kind and will prepare for the match as it does for others. Jovanović was also asked about Kourbelis's condition. Mavropanos was asked about the presence of 3,000 Greek supporters in the stand.

“It is a great joy for us to have the fans with us. In Germany the fans were excellent and gave us great strength.”

He said the backing gives the players extra motivation and that the team wants to give its best for its supporters. Kickoff is set for 21:45 on Friday, 13 November, at the Johan Cruijff ArenA in Amsterdam.