De Jong Discusses Substitution Reason During Netherlands’ Dominant Win Over Greece
Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong has clarified his decision to request a substitution at half-time during the Netherlands’ 7-0 triumph over Greece. He stated that this precautionary measure came after recently returning from injury.
The 29-year-old, who captained the Netherlands in the UEFA Nations League match, did not play in the second half. Concerns about his fitness arose after Netherlands coach Xavi Hernandez disclosed that the midfielder had dealt with back discomfort prior to the match.
However, De Jong explained that his decision to exit the game was based on his limited match fitness and recent injury record, along with the comfortable scoreline making it unnecessary to risk further exertion.
In his remarks following the convincing win, De Jong addressed whether his substitution was a precaution or a result of a physical issue. “Well, it was 5-0 at half-time. I’d only just come back from injury and everything, so it was fine as it was,” he said. He further elaborated, “Yes. I mean, I’ve only just come back from an injury. It’s not as if I’ve got much match fitness yet.”
He emphasized the importance of avoiding unnecessary risks given the traveling and demanding international schedule. “And with all this travelling and international fixtures, and my history of injuries as well, of course, there was no need to take any risks,” he noted.
The midfielder’s explanation underscores how the game’s comfortable score allowed him to opt out of the second half without feeling the need to push his limits.
In addition to discussing his fitness, De Jong praised the team’s overall performance and Xavi’s playing philosophy. He pointed to the squad’s effective positioning and their ability to finish chances as key to their success. “I think today, quite simply, we got it right in terms of how we positioned ourselves. And, of course, we also finished off the chances we created, the first one straight away. That always helps. Things went well in terms of the football, and it was really beautiful,” he remarked.
De Jong also outlined the philosophy driving Xavi’s approach to the game, asserting, “Yes, it depends, of course, on the match each time. But I think the vision is clear: we want to attack, build from the back, press high up the pitch, and be in control.” He acknowledged that the road ahead is long, emphasizing that the team’s performance in this match alone does not represent an endpoint but rather part of an ongoing process of improvement. “As I said recently, the last real test was the World Cup. And we’re now in a process of continuous improvement, so that we’ll be good enough – hopefully – in two years’ time to compete for the title,” he explained.
In closing, De Jong described the victory as a positive step in the team’s development and expressed his desire to maintain momentum. “It’s a good step, and tonight it looked very good. Now we simply have to keep going,” he concluded.
