Netherlands without captain Frenkie de Jong for Nations League clash in Berlin

Withdrawal announced

The KNVB said on Saturday, 14 November, that captain Frenkie de Jong will miss the Nations League match against Germany in Berlin on Monday, 16 November, which kicks off at 20:45. The 29-year-old FC Barcelona midfielder was taken off at half-time of the 7-0 win over Greece in Amsterdam on Friday, 13 November, after reporting a back complaint. Coach Xavi Hernández has not called up a replacement for the trip. The federation's statement on X put the situation in these words.

“Frenkie de Jong is suffering from minor physical discomfort and will miss the match against Germany.”

Reasons behind the caution

Spanish outlets gave more detail on the reasoning. El Periódico reported that de Jong's medical history had made Xavi cautious, noting that he has played only four matches for Barcelona, none of them complete, since returning five months after a rupture of the inner lateral ligament in his right knee. LaVanguardia reported that the federation described minor physical problems and said de Jong would sit out the Berlin trip for the moment. After the Greece game, Xavi had called the complaint a very minor issue rather than an injury and had counted on de Jong for the Germany match, but a further review on Saturday changed that plan.

The KNVB added its reasoning on X, explaining the timing of the decision.

“As a precaution, it has been decided that Frenkie does not travel to Berlin, because Monday's match comes too soon.”

Standings and other absences

According to Der Tagesspiegel, the Dutch side go into their final group matchday as table leaders after the 7-0 win over Greece. The same report says Virgil van Dijk and Brian Brobbey are also missing for the Germany game, both having picked up knocks. Brobbey is a striker and van Dijk is the regular captain, so Xavi will have to rework his lineup for Monday without several first-choice players. The earlier meeting between the two sides in Amsterdam ended 2-2, Der Tagesspiegel recalled.

El Periódico calculated the stakes for the group. A 7-0 margin practically guarantees the Netherlands a place in the next phase of the competition, and only a three-way tie with Greece and Germany would put that at risk. A draw is enough for the Dutch, while Germany must win and also hope that Greece do not beat Serbia.