All of Germany is amazed by Joey Veerman's impact at Dortmund

While club football in both Germany and the Netherlands started again – in Germany with a clash between Borussia Dortmund and Werder Bremen and in the Netherlands with PSV against SC Heerenveen – the attention quickly turned to Joey Veerman, the Netherlands international who was initially on the bench and later changed the game.

Club football resumed in Germany and the Netherlands

In the Signal Iduna Park, Borussia Dortmund opened the new matchday against Werder Bremen. Coach Niko Kovac selected Jobe Bellingham and Felix Nmecha in the central midfield, meaning Joey Veerman did not get a start. The match marked the first club game after the international break. Fans in the arena expected a dynamic lineup, but the absence of the Dutch midfielder was immediately noticeable.

In the Netherlands the club season also resumed with a fiercely contested duel between PSV and SC Heerenveen. The match was widely discussed and confirmed that club football was back on the map. Both countries thus shared the joint return to the competition.

Veerman substitute impact and the discussion around it

Joey Veerman entered the field only after 72 minutes, when Niko Kovac decided to change the midfielders. At the same time, Greek Kostas Karetsas came onto the field for his national team in the Nations League. The late introduction of Veerman immediately attracted the attention of supporters on social media.

On X the discussion erupted; a user wrote: “Finally we are relieved. Especially Veerman is an essential substitute.” Another fan suggested bringing Veerman in only at the 85th minute. The opinions highlighted dissatisfaction with the substitution policy of Kovac.

Another reaction read: “Xavi swears by Veerman, Kovac keeps him on the bench for 70 minutes.” A third commentator wondered why Bellingham was used against a team that “continuously sits in the own top sixteen”. These criticisms underscored the frustration over the limited playing time.

At the 85th minute, when Borussia Dortmund were already leading 1‑0, Veerman passed the ball to Nico Schlotterbeck, who then scored. A supporter wrote: “He must never again be set up as a reserve. Veerman came onto the field and everything changed, absolutely decisive.” The goal definitively put the match in Dortmund’s favour.

Another voice noted: “Veerman treated himself to an assist to throw the match into the closing stages. Let Kovac choose between Nmecha and Bellingham, because the Dutchman cannot stay on the bench.” The praise highlighted his direct influence on the attack.

From England a hymn of praise sounded: “For those who know music, Veerman is Mozart. For those who appreciate art, Veerman is Picasso. For those who love football, Veerman is the Dutch Rodri. What a player, what a maestro.” The analogy underscored his creative game insight.

In the Kieft‑Jansen‑Egmond‑Gijp podcast, Wim Kieft and René van der Gijp discussed the return of Veerman to the Netherlands team under Xavi Hernández. Van der Gijp stated: “Veerman is simply a good player, but certainly not a world‑class talent. It is normal that he is back, but he was a bit sidelined in an unpleasant way.” Kieft added that Veerman, now 27 years old, “will not develop much further”. The analysis gave a nuanced picture of his position within both club and national team.

The contrast between the German supporters who already call Veerman an indispensable factor and the Dutch pundits who question his potential shows how one substitute performance can shift perception. While Dortmund now sees its midfield as strengthened, the discussion in the Netherlands about his role in the Netherlands team continues.