In the Group D opener of Euro 2024, Poland will face the Netherlands at Volksparkstadion in Hamburg, Germany on Sunday (3 pm CET, 6:30 pm IST June 16). These two teams are sharing the group with France and Austria.

Injury has badly hit both of these squads and some of the key players will miss the match. Matty Cash and Arkadiusz Milik have already left the Polish squad. Due to a muscle injury the talisman of the Poland squad, Robert Lewandowski will miss the match. On the other hand, Frenkie de Jong and Teun Koopmeiners will be missing from the Dutch side.

Despite these injuries, both tanagers have managed to put up a stable squad for their respective countries. Poland has a strong midfield, while the Oranje have a young and talented attacking line-up with a defence line-up full of world-class defenders.

Poland vs Netherlands Euro 2024: Four Key Players in POL vs NED

Piotr Zielenski (Poland)

Club: Napoli
Age: 30
Position: Midfielder

The 30-year-old midfielder will be crucial for Poland this Euro. His playmaking ability and accurate passes would be the lifeline of the Polish attack. Zielinski has scored four goals for the Italian side along with an assist this season.

Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands)

Club: Liverpool
Age: 32
Position: Centre-back

This Liverpool centre-back is the cornerstone of the Dutch defence. The 32-year-old defender will lead the Netherlands in this Euro. Good techniques, pace and positioning sense made him one of the best defenders in the world. He is very good at set pieces and also exceptional in both aerial and ground duels. He along with Nathan Ake and Stefan de Vrij, has made the Dutch defence among the best of this tournament.

Xavi Simons (Netherlands)

Club: RB Leipzig
Age: 21
Position: Attacking Midfielder

The young Dutch attacking midfielder has an excellent individual season in RB Leipzig. The 21-year-old can also play at right wing. With a low centre of gravity, the midfielder has excellent ball control. Playmaking abilities along with high-pressing football and accurate long passes made him one of the most promising prospects in European football.

Cody Gakpo (Netherlands)

Club: Liverpool
Age: 25
Position: Left Winger, Forward

The 25-year-old Dutch forward plays for Liverpool in the EPL. Gakpo has 16 goals and six assists for the English side. This talented youngster is known for his positioning sense and high-pressing playing style. The Netherlands has suffered for a long time for the lack of enough firepower in the attack. Now, with young talents like Gakpo and Simons, the Oranje attack has been bolstered.

Missing Lewandowski will be a big hit for Poland, especially against a strong defending side like the Netherlands. Though Netherlands will be comparatively weak in the midfield and that will be the chance for the Eagles to exploit the Oranje. Though the records are hugely favourable to the Netherlands, Poland's team have the potential to cause an upset for the Dutch.