Precautionary measure: Frenkie de Jong misses duel against Germany

Frenkie de Jong has suffered minor complaints during the Nations League‑match against Greece and is being kept out of the squad as a precaution for the next match against Germany, the KNVB announced on Saturday afternoon.

De Jong played the first half against Greece on Friday evening, after which he was held back in the dressing room by national coach Xavi Hernández after the break.

In the absence of Virgil van Dijk, De Jong was captain of the Dutch team.

Xavi Hernández said after the match that he was not worried about the fitness of the Barcelona midfielder.

A day later the KNVB confirmed that it is better for De Jong to sit out the Nations League‑match against Germany and that he ‘will not travel to Berlin as a precaution’.

Xavi sees Dutch win over Greece as a given

The situation is more sensitive because De Jong still played minutes for the Dutch team during the World Cup despite an injury, which forced Barcelona to be without him for months.

Xavi decided not to call up a replacement, so the Dutch team travels to Germany with 23 players.

Against Greece, Teun Koopmeiners came into the squad in place of De Jong.

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

The Dutch team is doing well in the Nations League group and can almost no longer avoid a place in the next round.