Klopp on controversial goal: no guilt over Nmecha strike | OneFootball

The goal scored by BVB professional Felix Nmecha in Germany’s 1-1 draw with the Netherlands is still causing discussion even after the final whistle. After Oranje captain Virgil van Dijk described Germany’s opening goal as a “disgrace,” national team coach Jürgen Klopp firmly rejected the accusations.

In his debut as Germany coach, Jürgen Klopp had to settle for a draw. Borussia Dortmund’s Felix Nmecha had given the DFB team the lead in Amsterdam in the 32nd minute before Cody Gakpo scored the 1-1 equalizer in stoppage time.

However, what sparked the most debate was mainly how the German goal came about.

Dutch forward Brian Brobbey had previously been injured and was sitting on the turf. The German players still continued their attack. After a cross from Philipp Treu, the ball eventually reached Nmecha, who tapped it in from close range. A scuffle then broke out because the Dutch considered the goal unsporting.

Klopp defends Nmecha goal: “Completely legitimate”

At the subsequent press conference, Klopp made it clear that he could not understand the uproar. “The rule is that the referee stops the game, not the players,” the 59-year-old explained. His team had simply reacted to the situation more quickly than the opposition.

Even if the roles had been reversed, Klopp would have expected his players to keep going until the whistle: “If that had happened to us, I would tell my team: You have to keep playing. Especially in defense, you have to keep playing.”

Instead, the Dutch had briefly switched off, which the DFB team ruthlessly took advantage of: “We made really great use of it with a really great move. Good cross, good run – Felix Nmecha was exactly where he needed to be and put the ball in.

No understanding for Van Dijk’s accusation

Klopp was especially clear in response to the criticism from his former Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk. After the match, he had described Germany’s opening goal as a “disgrace.”

The Germany coach did show understanding for the emotions immediately after conceding, but firmly disagreed with his former player: “It was certainly no disgrace, but in the heat of the moment, you’re allowed to say anything at first.”

Photo: IMAGO

In his view, the reaction of the Dutch players and spectators also showed that the situation did not cause outrage throughout the entire match.

In conclusion, Klopp made it unmistakably clear: “The goal is completely legitimate. I have no guilty conscience, and I would have one if it were not legitimate. I still would have taken it, but I would have felt guilty, and I don’t.”

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