Xavi faces a baptism of fire as Netherlands head coach. Voetbalzone have looked ahead with the Spanish coach and predicted which players will start against Germany in the Nations League on Thursday.
Robin Roefs has been doing very well at Sunderland for some time, which is why there have often been calls to give him a chance in goal. Even so, Bart Verbruggen remains the Netherlands' first choice under Xavi.
At right-back, Denzel Dumfries gets the nod ahead of Jurriën Timber, who is still working on his fitness. Jan Paul van Hecke partners Virgil van Dijk, who stays with the national team as captain. Micky van de Ven slots in on the left side of the Netherlands defence.
In midfield, Xavi has to juggle his options because Frenkie de Jong and Jerdy Schouten are absent. Joey Veerman is back with the Netherlands after two years and goes straight into the starting XI against Germany. Ryan Gravenberch and Tijjani Reijnders complete the midfield three.
Out wide, Crysencio Summerville caught the eye at the World Cup and is set to prove himself on the right. Brian Brobbey scored a hat-trick against Manchester City and hopes to carry that form into Thursday. Cody Gakpo must provide the supply from the left.
Both the Netherlands and Germany have revenge on their minds. The Netherlands were knocked out by Morocco in the World Cup round of 32, while Germany were embarrassed by Paraguay at the same stage.
Probable Netherlands line-up: Verbruggen; Dumfries, Van Hecke, Van Dijk, Van de Ven; Veerman, Gravenberch, Reijnders; Summerville, Brobbey, Gakpo.