Netherland's manager Bert van Marwijk is, like so many other international sides at this time of year, riddled with injuries. The Dutch will have to make due without the likes of Ibrahim Afellay, Arjen Robben, and Erik Peters. As a result Ajax midfielder Theo Janssen and Juventus winger Eljero Elia have been called into the squad, along with Roy Bereens from Eredivisie leaders AZ Alkmaar.
Netherlands Vs. Switzerland, 2011 International Friendly: Prolific Dutch Team Takes On Young Swiss Side
The Netherlands take on Switzerland at the Amsterdam Arena in a friendly as Bert van Marwijk selects a new-look Dutch squad.
Make no mistake though, the prolific scoring team that we saw in Euro 2012 qualifying still has plenty of firepower. The Dutch scored 37 goals in qualifying, while allowing only 8, and Robin van Persie, Wesley Sneijer, and Dirk Kuyt are all expected to play and should be more than enough to see the Clockwork Orange through.
Switzerland have to deal with some injury problems of their own. In the days leading up to this match Reto Ziegler, Valon Behrami, and Eren Derdiyok were all forced to withdraw from the squad. This is a very young Swiss team, with only 5 players over the age of 27. Manager Ottmar Hitzfield still has Gokhan Inler, Xherdan Shaqiri, and Gelson Fernandes at his disposal, but the loss of Derdiyok means no player in the squad has scored more than 4 goals for the national team.
These two teams last faced off in 2007, with the Swiss taking a 2-1 victory. This iteration of the Dutch squad will be looking to turn the tables on Switzerland and come away with a victory before taking on Germany next week.
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