Monday, October 24, 2022 at 08:58• Mart Oude Nijeweeme • Last update: 08:59

It remains to be seen whether Marten de Roon will travel with the Dutch national team to the World Cup in Qatar. The midfielder dropped out on Sunday in the 0-2 lost home game against Lazio with a hamstring injury and is probably sidelined for the time being. Trainer Gian Piero Gasperini spoke few words of hope about his pupil during the press conference.

All in all, it was a painful evening for Atalanta. Gasperini’s team did not lose this season, but had to lose out against Lazio. Teun Koopmeiners, Hans Hateboer and De Roon started in the starting line-up, with the latter having to leave early. The midfielder, who was included in the pre-selection by Louis van Gaal, was sidelined fifteen minutes before the end with a hamstring injury.

“Marten felt a pulling in his hamstring, he has never had these complaints before. Let’s hope he left the field in time”, Gasperini said after the game. De Roon’s place was taken by Éderson. However, Atalanta was already 0-2 behind at that time and was unable to turn it around. To make matters worse, Luis Muriel also had to step in with an indirect red card in the final minute.

De Roon is one of the nine midfielders who have been included in the pre-selection by Van Gaal. The inspector is usually assured of his place in the selection. During the last international break, he played the entire match against Belgium and was allowed to play a half against Poland. The playing minutes against Poland were partly due to an injury at Frenkie de Jong. It would mean his second final tournament for De Roon. During the European Championship 2020, which was played in 2021, he was in the starting lineup in three of the four games.