Marco Bizot does not have to count on playing time during the friendly matches of the Dutch national team against Scotland (March 22) and Germany (March 26). National coach Ronald Koeman announced this at a press conference in the run-up to these practice matches. The 32-year-old goalkeeper from Stade Brest has been called up for the Dutch team for the first time in almost three years.

Koeman has included three goalkeepers in his selection for the coming practice matches: Bizot, Bart Verbruggen (Brighton & Hove Albion) and Mark Fleks (Brentford). Verbruggen was the first choice under Koeman during the last four international matches for the Dutch team.

The 21-year-old goalie also seems to gain the confidence of the national coach against Scotland and Germany. “It is clear that we see a lot of potential in him,” Koeman answers a question about whether Verbruggen has an advantage over the other goalkeepers. “Due to Justin Bijlow's injuries, the pecking order has also partly changed.”

“I also don't know when Bijlow will be back, fit and going to play. You want to bring super fit goalkeepers. We will have time to look at this carefully in the coming period.”

In any case, Bizot does not have to count on playing time during this international period. “Of course he has now joined, so it would be crazy if I let him keep goal. I will stick to my two goalkeepers who have always been there,” said Koeman, referring to Verbruggen and Fleks.

Wijnaldum

Someone who will play is Georginio Wijnaldum. Koeman explains why he called up the 33-year-old midfielder. “The reason is that I have a past with… Gini have. He has played more than ninety international matches. I visited him with Nigel de Jong. I now have him with me and then I can judge whether he has a chance.”

“I now have competitions for that. Then I can judge it even better. He will play part of both matches. From one match, or both matches. Or an entire match. We haven't decided on that yet.”

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