Joey Veerman impresses – Netherlands win in Serbia | OneFootball

While the German national team had to accept the first setback of Jürgen Klopp’s just-begun tenure as head coach three days after the 1-1 draw in the derby-like clash in Amsterdam, losing 1-0 to Greece, the Netherlands won their second Nations League match 2-1 in Serbia – with an impressive Joey Veerman in central midfield.

Together with Tijjani Reijnders and Ryan Gravenberch, Veerman formed the Elftal’s three-man midfield and provided structure for Xavi’s side from a central position. A success rate of 90 percent from 117 passes played was just as strong a figure for the Borussia Dortmund professional as six duels won out of nine (67%).

Veerman was not directly involved in the goals, both scored by Mexx Meerdink, who had come on as a substitute against Germany and was only playing his second international match, but he did initiate several dangerous attacks and ended the game with a remarkable 135 touches of the ball, making him unmistakably one of the defining figures on the pitch.

On his way to becoming a mainstay under coach Xavi

After Veerman had no longer been considered by former head coach Ronald Koeman following EURO 2024, the 27-year-old now seems well on his way to becoming a key figure in a new-look Dutch team that can undoubtedly be satisfied with four points from its first two Nations League matches.

Photo: IMAGO

Now, with matches in Greece on Thursday and back in Amsterdam on Sunday for the return game against Serbia, the Dutch national team can already take major steps toward the quarter-finals, which could then be secured definitively in November, among other matches with the second game against Germany and on German soil.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.