Major Problems Expected for Dutch Captain Virgil van Dijk Against Morocco

PSV's Saibari is currently shining as Morocco's standout player. The attacking midfielder is in peak form, having already scored three goals at the World Cup. Analysts at Sportnieuws.nl even consider him the key player who could trouble the Dutch national team. "Saibari is currently among the absolute world elite," states Maaskant on the Sportnieuws.nl World Cup podcast.

The 25-year-old Moroccan international is enjoying an excellent summer. The PSV player is on the verge of completing a top-tier transfer to Bayern Munich. Maaskant expects them to still be very pleased with that deal. “In Munich, they're still rubbing their hands together, having secured him quickly. He's had a very good season and simply always delivers."

Maaskant warns the Dutch national team about the Eredivisie's star performer. The former coach knows better than anyone that the PSV player causes ninety minutes of disruption in any defense. "When I see his runs, his speed, and his goals… He's the man to watch out for in Morocco. It doesn't matter if he plays as a striker or a withdrawn forward, he's always difficult to contain."

Hedwiges Maduro also anticipates that the Netherlands will face significant challenges with Saibari. According to the former international, Morocco's great strength lies in freeing up the PSV player between the lines. The spaces around Virgil van Dijk, in particular, could become interesting. "Morocco's strength is putting Saibari in scoring positions. He can play as an attacking midfielder, genuinely get into goal-scoring positions, and also drop deep."

It's precisely that dropping deep that Maduro believes could cause problems for the Netherlands. "It wouldn't surprise me if, for example, he's near Van Dijk and then drops all the way back to midfield, because Van Dijk will never push up into midfield to cover him," Maduro predicts.

For several Moroccan players, the match will also have a special significance. Saibari, Anass Salah-Eddine, Noussair Mazraoui, and Sofyan Amrabat all have a history in the Eredivisie and know many Dutch players personally. The match between the Netherlands and Morocco kicks off Monday night at 3:00 AM.

In the new episode of the Sportnieuws.nl World Cup football podcast, Robert Maaskant and Hedwiges Maduro discuss the Netherlands' last match. Together with presenter Damian Vlottes and reporter Rick Kraaijeveld, they talk about the upcoming fixture against Morocco and who will be the favorite.

They also reflect on Curaçao's departure from the World Cup. After a brave fight, they leave the tournament with one point and their heads held high. Will Dick Advocaat remain Curaçao's national coach? The pundits offer their predictions. All this and much more in the new episode of the Sportnieuws.nl World Cup football podcast. Available daily on your favorite podcast app, or watchable on YouTube.