Dumfries slams Germany after Nmecha scores as Brobbey lies injured
Denzel Dumfries has criticised Germany’s decision to continue play while Brian Brobbey lay injured, with Felix Nmecha scoring during the sequence in Thursday’s 1-1 UEFA Nations League draw at the Johan Cruyff Arena.
Dumfries confronts Germany after Brobbey injury
The Netherlands vice-captain said he challenged German players on the pitch after Brobbey went down holding his hamstring and the visitors did not put the ball out of play.
- Germany’s left-sided player appeared to Dumfries to be ready to halt, but instead moved the ball on to Joshua Kimmich.
- Kimmich continued the attack, which ended with Nmecha putting Germany ahead.
- Dumfries called the incident unacceptable, even though the Dutch later had goals from Virgil van Dijk and Mexx Meerdink ruled out.
“He looked at me as though he would stop, then gave it to Kimmich,” Dumfries said. “Kimmich is a top player and he carries on. I did confront them. It did not feel right, but that ruthlessness can decide games.”
The Inter right-back refused to treat the draw as a satisfactory result, arguing that the Netherlands must expect to win against major international opponents.
Xavi’s demands take shape in Dutch response
Dumfries also pointed to the Netherlands’ strong second half as evidence that new head coach Xavi Hernandez’s methods are beginning to register with the squad.
The team have held demanding sessions at their Zeist base, working on aggressive individual pressing, braver positioning and quicker movement between the lines.
- Xavi has asked his players to press higher and accept more one-versus-one situations.
- He wants greater fluidity when the Netherlands have possession.
- Dumfries said the coach has encouraged players to take responsibility rather than play cautiously.
“We have trained extremely hard and Xavi’s ideas are clear,” Dumfries said. “He wants more courage without the ball, more one-against-one defending and more movement on it. He has given us confidence. When we do it properly, we are very dangerous.”
What happens next for the Netherlands
The Dutch squad will recover from the Germany match before heading to Belgrade for Sunday’s meeting with Serbia, followed by a fixture against Greece.
Dumfries played down concerns that the intensity of the new training programme could leave players short physically. He described Brobbey’s hamstring problem as a match-specific setback rather than an issue caused by the workload.
His message ahead of the next games was clear: the Netherlands must carry their second-half level into both fixtures and turn it into maximum points.
