Koeman reacts to De Ligt mistakes as Man Utd defender produces nightmare Netherlands display – Football365

Ronald Koeman was forced to defend Man Utd defender Matthijs de Ligt after his poor performance in the Netherlands’ win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Dutch cruised to a convincing 5-2 victory over the eastern European side on Saturday with Joshua Zirkzee, Tijjani Reijnders, Cody Gakpo, Wout Weghorst and Xavi Simons scoring their goals.

Ermedin Demirovic made it 1-1 on 27 minutes with the Bosnian forward taking advantage of some poor defending from De Ligt – who signed for Man Utd from Bayern Munich in the summer – to get his side back on level terms.

Disappointing positioning from De Ligt had played Demirovic onside, while the Man Utd centre-back was guilty of ball-watching as Edin Dzeko made it 3-2 on 73 minutes before Weghorst and Simons’ late goals secured the Nations League points for the Netherlands.

Speaking about Demirovic’s goal in the first half, Netherlands boss Koeman said: “Xavi Simons should have done better. He was marking their left midfielder and suddenly walked away from him.

“Of course, the centre-backs are positioning themselves wrong too.”

When asked if he was concerned by the performance of Man Utd defender De Ligt, Koeman replied: “He himself realises that he was in the wrong position.

“This should not happen, but mistakes are part of football. I think it is unfair to make a big deal out of it.”

And Koeman felt his side should have been out of sight before Dzeko struck in the second half to give Bosnia and Herzegovina a chance of the three points.

The former Everton and Barcelona boss added: “We played very well in possession of the ball.

“Very fresh, fast, often finding the people between the lines. We certainly had a good phase after the break, but then the match has to over.

“When you concede two goals, you take that with you. When it was 3-2 you also saw some doubt in the team, while which wasn’t necessary if you looked at the statistics.

“The opposition scored two goals out of very little.”

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Netherlands boss Koeman said earlier this week that Steven Bergwijn’s international career is over after his move to Saudi Arabia.

Former Tottenham winger Bergwijn on Monday completed a transfer from Ajax to Al Ittihad – a switch Koeman claims is based on money.

“The book is basically closed,” Koeman said at a press conference on Tuesday.

“I think that when you’re 26, the ambition should be sporting and not financial. He could have stayed at Ajax, that’s not bad either. And I think they pay pretty well there too.

“Anyway, everyone has a different view and it’s their choice. I personally wouldn’t have made it.”

Asked if Bergwijn had spoken to him before signing, Koeman said: “No. I think he would have known what I would have said.”

Georginio Wijnaldum, 33, was in the Dutch squad at Euro 2024 despite playing for Saudi Arabian club Al Ettifaq.

But Koeman added: “He had problems at Paris St Germain and this was the only opportunity for him to play. In addition, there is a difference in age.”

Bergwijn, who has 35 international caps, was left out of the Netherlands squad for the Nations League matches against Bosnia-Herzegovina and Germany.