Old rivalries with new faces: Xavi and Jürgen Klopp set to make debuts as Netherlands and Germany do battle once more | OneFootball

It is one of the biggest rivalries in international football. Germany against the Netherlands has plenty of history behind it, with the two nations having been pitched against each other at numerous occasions in the biggest tournaments. Since West Germany beat the Netherlands in 1974, games between the two sides have been hotly anticipated. In 1988, the Netherlands got their revenge, beating West Germany in Euro 1988 during the semi-finals, before winning the tournament on German soil.

On Thursday, Germany and the Netherlands lock horns once again. Yet both are in uncharted territory, with new managers being brought in to try and turn their fortunes around. Both had poor showings at the 2026 World Cup, with Germany humbled by Paraguay and the Netherlands dumped out by Morocco in the first knock-out round. Since then, both Ronald Koeman and Julian Naglesman have left. In their place have come two legends of the game, one known for his work in the dugout and the other for his work in the central of midfield.

The Netherlands finally landed on Xavi to take over from Koeman, even if Nigel de Jong admitted the former Barcelona midfielder was not their first or second choice. This is unlikely to phase Xavi much, who will be confident in his own abilities regardless of who could have had the job instead. He has announced his first squad, with a handful of the old guard being moved on in favour of younger and perhaps hungrier players. However, his captain, Virgil van Dijk, will remain in place for the time being. While clearly Xavi will want to get off to a winning start, many will be hoping that the performance is more attacking and free than previous performances under Koeman. Positivity is what people want from a Xavi led Oranje, and what better way to showcase that than against the old rivals Germany.

Jürgen Klopp has been given the reigns of the German Mannschaft, and while Xavi may be under some pressure to take the Dutch into a new era of exciting attacking football, this pales in comparison to what is expected of a Klopp led Germany. German football fans will be hoping that the former Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund favourite will bring his usual attacking brand of football to a German side that has been a major disappointment since it won the World Cup back in 2014.

Many bemoan the early international break, but for fans of the Netherlands and Germany, this is an exciting time. With the disappointment of the World Cup now behind them, both nations can look forward to a new era. The rivalry between the two nations will remain, as it always has done, but on Thursday a new chapter for both countries will be opened at the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson