Barcelona’s decision to rush Frenkie de Jong back from injury had significant consequences for the Netherlands national team. Ronald Koeman, the Dutch coach, was critical of the club’s handling of de Jong’s injury, highlighting how it led to the midfielder missing out on participating in the European Championship with his country. This deprived the Oranje of a key player for the tournament and affected their performance.
Koeman pointed out that Barcelona rushed de Jong back from injury, leading to his absence from the European Championship. The Dutchman suffered multiple ankle injuries during the previous season, and Koeman criticized Barcelona for prioritizing his return for Champions League games against Paris Saint-Germain over his long-term fitness. This decision ultimately had a negative impact on de Jong’s recovery and availability for the national team.
Despite returning to preseason training with Barcelona, Frenkie de Jong’s fitness remains a concern. It is unclear when he will be ready to return to competitive action, although he is expected to be available for the LaLiga opener against Valencia. Koeman revealed that de Jong’s injury is more serious than initially thought, indicating that the midfielder still needs time to recover fully before resuming playing.
Netherlands National Team Performance
Without de Jong, the Netherlands managed to reach the semifinals in the European Championship, where they suffered a defeat to England. The absence of a key player like de Jong had an impact on the team’s performance in the tournament. Despite their efforts, the Oranje could not overcome the loss of the influential midfielder, highlighting the importance of having all key players available for such high-stakes competitions.
Future Matches and Recovery
The Netherlands national team is set to face Bosnia and Herzegovina and Germany in the UEFA Nations League in September. The Oranje will be looking to bounce back from their Euro disappointment and will be hoping to have Frenkie de Jong back in the squad for these crucial matches. Meanwhile, Barcelona is gearing up for their upcoming games against top European clubs in the United States as they prepare for the new season under the guidance of new coach Hansi Flick.
Leave a Reply