Netherlands central Matthijs de Ligt, who was sent off in the round of 16 match of the European Championship against the Czech Republic, said that “the red card obviously made the difference.”
“Of course, we feel bad. We basically lost the game because of what I did. He shouldn't have let the ball dribble, “he acknowledged in statements to NOS TV, in which he pointed out that” they had the game under control “and in the first half they had chances, but the action that cost him expulsion led to the victory of the Czech team. .
The Dutch captain, Georginio Wijnaldum, regretted “the goals that we gave away, the opportunities that we did not take advantage of,” said the new PSG signing, who admitted that the whole match “was difficult” because they could not “cope with the way in which they pressed ”and could not“ create spaces ”.
“After the red card, we had a feeling of helplessness, it was impossible to press, we couldn't get the ball out. But even with eleven men, I think we did not manage our rival's plan, ”said Wijnaldum.
Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong admitted that he had the feeling of being tired, although he doesn't know why. “We really wanted to win. For some of the guys this was the biggest game of their careers so far, ”he said.
“It's not that we weren't tactically prepared. We were focused, and we certainly did not underestimate them. We just couldn't play our game. Sometimes you have days like this, ”De Jong said.