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The foreign media are lyrical about the performance of the Dutch team against Romania (0-3 victory). Compliments are being thrown everywhere, although there is one exception. The French The Team is impressed by Cody Gakpo, but on the other hand also has five failing grades in store.
Steven Bergwijn, who nevertheless made a fresher impression than he had the entire season at Ajax, received the lowest score from the French sports newspaper: a 3. “Ronald Koeman has not yet solved his problems on the right wing. Bergwijn was substituted at half-time because he started to miss everything,” it said.
Bergwijn was replaced by Donyell Malen at half-time, but he too, despite his two goals, did not leave an indelible impression, according to the French. “Malen replaced Bergwijn, only to play just as badly. He was in the right place after a great move by Gakpo and he made a counterattack successful.” Malen is replaced by The Team rewarded with a meager 6.
Bergwijn was not the only one who received a failing grade for his performance against Romania. Jerdy Schouten surprisingly received a 4, Memphis Depay, Tijjani Reijnders and Xavi Simons had to make do with a 5. Gakpo was labelled as an absolute star and received an 8. “Like a tightrope walker on the goal line, an XXL performance.”
Belgium and Germany
In Belgium there is particular surprise about the weak opponent of the Dutch team. “How could this Romania become first in the group of The Red Devils?”, asks The last news wonder.
Sporza saw the Netherlands convincingly qualify for the quarter finals, where Turkey will be the opponent. “With some 400,000 emigrated Turks in the Netherlands, that will certainly produce fireworks,” is the prediction.
The German media also names Gakpo as the absolute star, but also has good words for Malen. “The the Dutch party continues! Once again it is BVB star Donyell Malen who excels, but the best in the Netherlands is Gakpo, a favorite of Jürgen Klopp”, writes BILD.
Xavi Simons' performance was called less impressive. “Xavi Simons is also a 'toller Fußballer', although things didn't go smoothly for him against the Romanians. Is his mind already in Munich?”, asks BILD wonder.
Gakpinho
The Spanish press has especially praised Gakpo, who has even been given a striking nickname. “Gakpinho, because with Oranje he becomes a more courageous, self-confident and decisive version of himself. He has a nose for the big moments. After his goal it became a training session for Oranje”, writes ASH“This is not the the Dutch of Koeman or Van Dijk, this is the the Dutch of Gakpo,” is the conclusion of World Sports.
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