How Netherlands could line up against Ukraine

Netherlands have been rocked by the absence of Jasper Cillessen, Virgil van Dijk and Donny van de Beek through the spine of their side for the entirety of Euro 2020.

Van Dijk was never likely to recover in time from the ACL injury he sustained against Everton last October, but Cillessen's positive COVID-19 test and van de Beek's groin injury led to both withdrawing from the squad in recent weeks.

Thirty-eight-year-old Martin Stekelenburg and Norwich City's Tim Krul will compete for a place in goal, with the former set to win that battle after looking more secure in the Netherlands' recent warm-up friendlies against Scotland and Georgia.

Elsewhere, Frank de Boer's main decision may be whether to opt for experience in midfield in the shape of Atalanta BC's Marten De Roon, or youth in the form of Ryan Gravenberch.

The 19-year-old Ajax midfielder bolstered his credentials by scoring his side's third goal against Georgia, but De Roon may be preferred against Ukraine in what is likely to be the Netherlands' toughest match of the group.

In attack, Wout Weghorst finally opened his international account against Georgia after enjoying a fine season for Wolfsburg. The 6ft 6in striker's 20 Bundesliga goals was a major reason the Wolves qualified for the Champions League for the first time in five years.

He looks set to partner Memphis Depay in de Boer's preferred 3-5-2 system, with the Lyon forward bagging three goals across the two warm-up friendlies after ending the season with six goals in his last six games in Ligue 1.

Netherlands possible starting lineup: Stekelenburg; Dumfries, De Ligt, De Vrij, Blind, Wijndal; De Roon, De Jong, Wijnaldum; Weghorst, Depay

Click here to see how Ukraine could line up for this contest