De Jong misses Germany match, Xavi must plan without a replacement

Frenkie de Jong must definitively withdraw from the Nations League‑match against Germany, leaving national team coach Xavi Hernández without a replacement.

De Jong was still on the kickoff on Friday against Greece, wore the captain’s armband and stayed in the dressing room during the half‑time break with a 5-0 lead.

Teun Koopmeiners came on in his place when the half‑time break began.

"Frenkie told me before the match that he was having some trouble with his back," Xavi Hernández said afterwards.

The Spaniard then still assumed that De Jong would be available against Germany.

How the Netherlands must do without De Jong after a 7-0 win over Greece

On Saturday the Dutch football association confirmed that De Jong will not travel to Berlin, because the match is too early and no unnecessary risks will be taken.

For the 29‑year‑old midfielder it is an unpleasant development; he already missed several months earlier this season due to a knee injury.

Against Greece he played his first international since the last World Cup.

Netherlands dominates Greece and moves closer to the quarter-finals

Strategic consequences for the Oranje

Xavi intervenes surprisingly at 5-0: he does not call up a replacement, meaning the Netherlands heads to Germany with 23 players.

the Oranje leads the Nations League‑group with eleven points; a draw on Monday is enough to secure the group win, now without De Jong.