Former Tottenham ace fires dig at Micky van de Ven after Netherlands’ defeat by Germany: ‘He ain’t no Virgil van Dijk’

Former Tottenham star Rafael van der Vaart has aimed a dig at defender Micky van de Ven following the Netherlands’ 1-0 defeat by Germany within the Nations League.

Jamie Leweling scored the one purpose of the sport on Monday evening, with the 23-year-old Stuttgart star having fun with a dream debut for Germany.

Leweling struck within the sixty fourth minute for the hosts on the Allianz Area, whereas he had additionally seen a second minute effort dominated out for offside following poor Dutch defending.

Germany had dominated the primary half towards the Dutch, who had been pressured to change their defence attributable to Van Dijk’s suspension after he had been despatched off towards Hungary on Friday.

Van de Ven had moved centrally to cowl for the Liverpool star’s absence, whereas Jorrel Hato made his debut at left again. 

Talking on NOS, Van de Vaart insisted that the nationwide group have been lacking the presence of Van Dijk within the coronary heart of the defence.

The outspoken pundit claimed he was ‘ashamed’ of the Netherlands’ efficiency within the first half towards Germany after being dominated by the hosts in Munich.

‘I do not simply get ashamed of the Dutch group, however immediately I did,’ Van der Vaart mentioned.

‘We attribute so many qualities to them, however it’s utterly flawed. You possibly can analyse it, however all the pieces simply goes flawed. 

‘Then we now have doubts concerning the absence of Virgil van Dijk, in fact you miss him. All effectively and good, Micky van de Ven, however that is no Van Dijk.’

Van der Vaart, who received 109 caps throughout his worldwide profession, agreed with fellow pundit Pierre van Hooijdonk that the primary half had been ‘a complete off day for your entire group’.

The previous midfielder claimed the Netherlands have been ‘fortunate the Germans will not be 5-0 forward’ at half-time.

He had additionally criticised the efficiency of Quinten Timber, twin brother of Arsenal star Jurrien, by claiming he had appeared ‘color blind’ after gifting possession to Germany.

Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman admitted post-match that his aspect had struggled towards Germany within the first half, however insisted they improved within the second.

‘We have been lacking gamers, however that additionally utilized to Germany,’ Koeman mentioned. 

‘We have been too far again, then you definitely deliver it upon your self. We additionally didn’t play effectively once we had the ball.

‘They have been higher, sooner, extra bodily. They did higher than us on virtually all elements.’

The Netherlands had fielded their youngest group since 2012, with the beginning line-up having a mean age of below 24.

The defeat leaves the Dutch second of their Nations League group on 5 factors, stage with Hungary after 4 matches.

Germany are assured of advancing to the quarter-finals of the competitors.