Netherlands vs Germany: Three key players to watch out for

The Hard Tackle lists three players who can make a defining impact when the Netherlands and Germany clash at the Johan Cruijff ArenA on Thursday.

The UEFA Nations League returns with a classic fixture as the Netherlands host Germany at the Johan Cruijff ArenA on Thursday. Both footballing heavyweights enter this clash on the cusp of brand-new eras. Following penalty-shootout exits in the round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup just three months ago, both nations have appointed legendary figures to steer their rebuilds.

Xavi takes charge of the Oranje for his first competitive match, while Jurgen Klopp makes his highly anticipated international management debut for Die Mannschaft. With both tacticians looking to establish a dominant, modern style from the get-go, tactical experimentation will meet fierce regional rivalry.

Xavi is missing creative stars like Frenkie de Jong and Xavi Simons, forcing the Netherlands into a reliance on collective pressing and wide transitions. Meanwhile, Klopp has brought an experimental energy to his opening squad, choosing to name two 22-player squads to manage workloads across a congested autumn schedule.

As a result, tonight’s tie will be defined by individuals stepping into the vacuum to dictate the tempo. The Johan Cruijff ArenA will bear witness to an intense confrontation between the hosts’ high-intensity pressing and the visitors’ vertical, counter-pressing build-up.

To understand how this tactical chess match will unfold under the bright Amsterdam lights, we look at the three definitive key players whose current form, underlying metrics, and individual positional match-ups will decide this blockbuster clash.

Cody Gakpo

Cody Gakpo remains the undisputed talisman of the Dutch attack, a status amplified by the absence of Memphis Depay. Operating from his preferred left-wing channel under Xavi, the Liverpool attacker’s primary responsibility is to provide the vertical dynamism and ball progression necessary to unlock Jurgen Klopp’s high defensive line. His ability to cut inside on his stronger right foot makes him a lethal creative and scoring weapon.

• Club Dominance: Gakpo enters the matchday in spectacular club form, averaging 0.65 non-penalty expected goals (npXG) and 0.42 expected assists (xA) per 90 minutes.
• Ball Progression: He ranks in the upper 96th percentile for progressive carries (5.8 per 90) and successful take-ons (3.2 per 90), making him the ideal outlet to beat Germany’s counter-press.
• International Record: Gakpo has contributed directly to 6 goals in his last 5 competitive international appearances, proving to be a reliable big-game performer.
• Positional Match-up: Facing the inexperienced Philipp Treu, Gakpo’s blistering pace and high volume of progressive carries will look to exploit any structural spaces left behind when Germany transitions forward.

Jamal Musiala

With Florian Wirtz not involved on Thursday, the creative burden for Germany falls squarely on the shoulders of Jamal Musiala. The Bayern Munich sensation is likely to be the centre-piece of Jurgen Klopp’s attacking blueprint, tasked with operating in the half-spaces and breaking the lines of the Dutch midfield. Musiala’s impressive close control and spatial awareness make him difficult to mark in tight areas, turning him into Klopp’s top press-breaker.

• Press Resistance: Musiala has maintained an 86.4% pass completion rate under pressure this season, combined with 4.1 successful take-ons per 90 minutes.
• Shot Creation: He leads early European statistics with 6.2 shot-creating actions (SCA) per 90 minutes, demonstrating his continuous threat as a primary playmaker.
• Direct Threat: Musiala has registered 6 goal involvements in his last 6 UEFA Nations League outings, demonstrating his clinical edge at the highest level.
• Positional Match-up: Operating in zones occupied by Ryan Gravenberch, Musiala’s quick turns will look to bypass the defensive screen and destabilise the backline.

Kai Havertz

Kai Havertz leads the line as the focal point for Germany against the Netherlands, embodying the defensive and offensive fluidity required in a classic Jurgen Klopp team. Rather than acting as a static target man, the Arsenal star thrives on dropping deep to link play and triggering the intense frontline pressing that the former Liverpool manager is famous for. His tactical discipline makes him the perfect strategic foil for the explosive runners operating around him.

• Tactical Work Rate: Havertz averages 22.4 defensive pressures and 2.8 tackles-plus-interceptions per 90 minutes, making him the primary trigger for Jurgen Klopp’s signature counter-pressing system.
• Attacking Metrics: The Arsenal striker boasts a robust club record of 0.58 expected goals (xG) per 90 minutes, showcasing his elite positional timing inside the penalty box.
• Aerial Supremacy: Havertz ranks in the 89th percentile for aerial duels won among forwards (3.9 per 90), offering an essential direct outlet for Germany if the Netherlands press cuts off short passing lanes.
• Positional Match-up: Going head-to-head with Virgil van Dijk, Havertz’s constant movement will seek to drag central defenders out of position, opening lanes for Jamal Musiala.