"Havertz masterpiece incoming", "No Zirkzee no party" - Fans react as Germany and Netherlands name XI for Nations League clash

There were contrasting reactions from each set of fans as Germany and the Netherlands announced their starting line-ups for their UEFA Nations League clash at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam on Tuesday. Both teams are coming off big wins in their respective campaign openers.

Julian Nagelsmann's Germany thumped 5-0 in Dusseldorf, with five different players - including Arsenal's Kai Havertz - getting on the scoresheet. Meanwhile. Ronald Koeman's Netherlands were equally impressive in their 5-2 dismantling of Bosnia & Herzegovina in Eindhoven, also seeing five different scorers.

In the clash of the two heavyweights, Germany fans anticipate a Havertz 'masterclass', while their Oranje counterparts reckon Joshua Zirkzee's absence could tilt the game in favour of the visitors.

Here' how Germany fans reacted:

"Havertz masterpiece incoming"

Another chimed:

"King Kai Havertz, the best CF currently"

There were similar reactions from other Germany fans, with one tweeting:

"Havertz will cook."

However, Netherlands fans are bemused that Zirkzee has dropped to the bench, with one tweeting:

"Zirkzee benched? This is a joke"

Another chimed in:

"No Zirkzee no party. Simple. You're getting skinned."

One Oranje fan commented:

"He (Koeman) made a mistake by benching Zirkzee."

Both Germany and Netherlands are coming off deep runs at Euro 2024. While the Germans lost 2-1 in extra time to eventual winners Spain in the quarter-final, Netherlands lost by the same scoreline to England in the semi-final.

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How has Germany's Kai Havertz and Netherlands' Joshua Zirkzee fared this season?

Germany attacker Kai Havertz and his Netherlands counterpart Joshua Zirkzee have had contrasting starts to their club campaigns. The 25-year-old Havertz has found form for Arsenal at the start of the campaign.

After scoring an assisting in the 2-0 opening-day win at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League opener, Havertz didn't have a goal contribution in the 2-0 win at Aston Villa.

The German then scored the Gunners' opener at home to Brighton & Hove Albion in a 1-1 draw where Mikel Arteta's men finished with 10 men following a controversial Declan Rice red card. As mentioned above, Havertz was on the scoresheet in German'y last game.

Meanwhile, Zirkzee announced himself to the Manchester United faithful by scoring a late winner off the bench in the 1-0 opening-day home win over Fulham. However, he has gone silent tin the next two games - failing to provide a goal contribution - as Erik ten Hag's side dropped successive league outings.

Zirkzee scored and provided an assist in the Netherlands' previous game.