According to Ronald Koeman, the absence of Steven Berghuis from the Orange squad is not due to the blow he recently gave to a fan of FC Twente. “That choice is simply based on his form, it has nothing to do with that incident,” said the national coach at the press conference for the Nations League semi-final against Croatia.
There was room for two Ajax players in the selection of the Orange squad: Jurrien Timber and Steven Bergwijn. In addition to Berghuis, Brian Brobbey and Davy Klaassen dropped out for the Dutch national team. That was partly due to the poor performance of the team from Amsterdam, Koeman admits. “Of course you look at fitness and level. That doesn’t always work out, because you also have to deal with positions and competition. It is clear that this selection is based on what I have seen.”
Brobbey is part of the European Championship selection of the Dutch Juniors. Mitchel Bakker (Purmerend) and Jeremie Frimpong decided to skip that tournament. The latter in particular received a nice blow from Koeman: “No, I don’t think that’s good. I don’t think this is okay. The Dutch Juniors are playing a European Championship and if the player thinks he has transcended the level, he will make the wrong decision. “
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During the conversation with the journalists present, Koeman also zoomed in on the situation of Volendammer Joey Veerman. “I spoke to him in Eindhoven. We sat with him in March, so he knows what is sometimes lacking, regardless of his good qualities. Everything must be good at the highest level.”
“You saw how happy Portugal was in 2019 when we played against them,” Koeman responds to the question of whether the Nations League is a prize. “They are still talking about 1988 with eight teams, that says enough. There is something behind your name and we realize that. We are exasperated to win the prize.”
The Netherlands will play against Croatia in the semi-final of the Nations League next Wednesday at 8.45 pm in De Kuip. Spain and Italy will be in the other semi-final on Thursday. If the Orange squad reaches the final, it will play on Sunday evening at 8.45 pm and otherwise in the afternoon at 3 pm.
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