Ronald Koeman acknowledged Matthijs de Ligt's recent struggles, stating, "Of course, I would rather have kept Matthijs de Ligt on the pitch. It just looks like he is now in a period where all his mistakes are being punished." Koeman felt it was necessary to protect De Ligt by substituting him during the game against Germany, which followed his earlier errors in a previous match against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Virgil van Dijk, commenting on the repercussions of mistakes at a high level, said, "This is football. You have to learn from this. It was one moment but at the highest level you will get punished for it." His blunt assessment highlights the harsh realities players face when competing against top teams.
Koeman praised Ajax striker Brian Brobbey's performance, stating he was impressive in the absence of Memphis Depay. Brobbey's contributions were pivotal, leading to an assist for Denzel Dumfries' equaliser, showcasing his ability to impact the game despite limited experience.
Brian Brobbey made a significant impression in only his second start for the Netherlands, achieving five touches in the opposition box, second only to Cody Gakpo. His performance was crucial enough to lead Germany's coach to adjust their defense in response.
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