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Ronald Koeman speaks out on taking Matthijs de Ligt off at half-time after major error vs Germany

Home> Football> Football News

Published 22:50 10 Sep 2024 GMT+1

Ronald Koeman speaks out on taking Matthijs de Ligt off at half-time after major error vs Germany

De Ligt was withdrawn at half-time during the 2-2 draw against Germany.

Ryan Smart

Ryan Smart

Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman has spoken out on his decision to substitute Matthijs de Ligt at half-time during his side's 2-2 draw against Germany in the Nations League.

The Manchester United defender gave the ball away in the build-up to Germany's equaliser to make it 1-1 in the first half.

Centre-back partner Virgil van Dijk could be seen punching the turf in frustration after Deniz Undav scored, with the Liverpool defender then appearing to gesture towards De Ligt.

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The United defender was withdrawn from the action at half-time, with the scores at 2-1 to Germany, and replaced by Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke.

Denzel Dumfries would equalise for the Dutch on 50 minutes, with the game eventually ending 2-2.

In the build-up to the match, Koeman defended De Ligt after he was criticised by sections of the national media for his performance in the Netherlands' 5-2 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Saturday.

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And speaking after the Germany draw, Koeman again sympathised with the defender - but explained why he felt he had to remove him from the action at half-time.

He explained: "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.

"I gave him a new chance today, but eventually protected him by taking him off."

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Twitter/@TheEuropeanLad

De Ligt will now return to Manchester ahead of United's away trip to Southampton on Saturday.

Erik ten Hag's side are looking to bounce back from the 3-0 defeat to Liverpool at Old Trafford, with De Ligt starting that game but being replaced by Harry Maguire on 69 minutes.

He moved to United from Bayern Munich for a fee of £45 million in the summer, with the deal being officially announced on the same day that Bayern team-mate Noussair Mazraoui also joined the club.

Featured Image Credit: Getty / Twitter

Topics: Ronald Koeman, Matthijs De Ligt, Football, Netherlands, Manchester United

Ryan Smart
Ryan Smart

Live in constant hope of the top flight as a Preston North End fan. Written in the past for SPORF, GiveMeSport and more.

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