Our prediction for this Euro 2020 match:
Netherlands will be aiming to keep their 100% record in Group C intact when they take on North Macedonia at Johan Cruijff Arena. The Oranje kicked off their EURO 2020 campaign in style, with the team beating both Ukraine and Austria, and it is no wonder the bookies see them as favourites to win Monday’s clash. Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt has overcome his injury, meaning that Frank de Boer should have a full squad to choose from.
However, the Netherlands head coach is likely to mix the squad as the Oranje have already booked their place in the last 16. North Macedonia, on the other hand, are still eyeing their first win at major tournaments. The Macedonians have been struggling at the back at the European Championship finals, and they face yet another uphill task in their last group game. A man to watch in Igor Angelovski’s team will be Premier League ace Ezgjan Alioski, who found the net in the 2-1 loss to Ukraine.
Highlighted Player (Aleksandar Trajkovski):
Aleksandar Trajkovski is a Macedonian international who played for Cementarnica 55 during his youth career. He made 11 league appearances for the club at senior level as well and in 2010 he moved to Croatian team Inter Zapresic.
The attacking midfielder failed to prove his worth in the 2010/2011 season and, as a result, he was sold to Zulte Waregem in the summer of 2011. He played an important role in the Belgian team from 2011 to 2015 as he scored 11 goals in 83 league appearances for the club. It has to be noted, though, that Trajkovski spend the 2013/2014 season on loan at Mechelen. In 2015 he was named Macedonian Footballer of the Year and the same year he signed a contract with Italian side Palermo.
Speaking of his international career, Aleksandar Trajkovski has 15 caps for Macedonia U21 and he made his debut for the senior team on 10 August, 2011 in a friendly against Azerbaijan.
Highlighted Team (Netherlands):
Netherlands are well known for the colour of their shirts. The orange colour is the symbol of the Dutch national team and that is the reason why they got a nickname the Oranje. Netherlands won the 1988 European Championship in West Germany, with the team beating the Soviet Union in the title game.
A number of top-class players were part of the Netherlands national team that won the Euro 1988 trophy, with the likes of Ruud Gullit, Marco van Basten, Frank Rijkaard and Erwin Koeman all starting the match against the Soviet Union. However, many people consider Johan Cruyff the best player in the history of Dutch football. Cruyff won three European Cups with Ajax as a player and he clinched the European Cup with Barcelona as a coach.
Johan Cruyff is well known as “the father of modern football”. Netherlands participated in the World Cup final on three occasions (1974, 1978, 2010), but they have yet to win the prestigious trophy. The Oranje welcome their rivals at Amsterdam ArenA, Philips Stadion and Stadion Feijenoord.