Oct 10, 2023 at 2:08 PM Update: 22 minutes ago
Bart Verbruggen hopes to make his debut under the bar for the Dutch team on Friday. The Brighton & Hove Albion goalkeeper seems to have the best credentials for the match against France.
The Dutch goalkeeper issue is causing headaches for national coach Ronald Koeman. Justin Bijlow is injured and Mark Flokken pulled out at the last minute. Verbruggen seems to be the right man for the upcoming European Championship qualifiers against France and Greece, as Nick Olij has been called up for the first time and Andries Noppert is out of form.
“I don’t know anything yet,” says Verbruggen. “But it would be very nice. Playing against Liverpool on Sunday and against France and Kylian Mbappé on Friday. I am ready for it. I dreamed about such matches as a little boy.”
Verbruggen made a nice transfer from Anderlecht to Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion last summer. Since then he has played five matches for Roberto De Zerbi’s team. The trainer has chosen to have Verbruggen and Jason Steele take turns keeping two matches in a row for the time being. “I’m almost used to it. It’s fine, as long as I can keep improving myself,” says Verbruggen.
Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen drew 2-2 against Liverpool on Sunday. Photo: Pro Shots
Koeman wants less dangerous play from Verbruggen
Verbruggen had only just arrived at the Dutch national team training camp on Monday when he had to report to Koeman. “I understand that your coach at Brighton & Hove Albion sometimes wants you to take risks when you build up the game,” said the national coach. “But under me you sometimes just kick the ball far forward.”
Koeman saw on Sunday how Verbruggen caused a teammate such trouble that Liverpool were allowed to take a penalty. A few weeks earlier, Bournemouth also benefited from a daring ball from Verbruggen.
“At Brighton we often benefit from building up the game in this way,” says Verbruggen. “But of course we have to ensure that things don’t go wrong. For me it is no problem if another trainer wants me to play differently. That is not difficult. I do what they ask of me.”
The Dutch team is preparing for the European Championship qualifiers against France (Friday) and Greece (Monday) in Zeist. Both matches start at 8:45 PM.
Standings group B
France 5-15 (+11)
Netherlands 4-9 (+3)
Greece 5-9 (+5) Ireland 5-3 (-2) Gibraltar 5-0 (-17)
2023-10-10 12:08:46
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