Netherlands head coach, Ronald Koeman has accepted that his decision not to make a late defensive substitution proved costly as Netherlands fell to a 3-2 defeat at home to Germany in Euro 2020 qualifying.
Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sane gave Germany a 2-0 half-time lead in Amsterdam but Memphis Depay inspired a comeback with a goal and an assist in Sunday’s heavyweight Group C clash.
Germany gained revenge for their 3-0 loss at the hands of Netherlands in the Nations League last year, though, when Nico Schulz arrived in the box to steer home a 90th-minute winner to settle a classic contest.
Netherlands had not lost a home game to rivals Germany in 23 years and Koeman took responsibility for not bolstering a stretched back line with a late change, Germany substitute Marco Reus setting up Schulz moments after his introduction.
Koeman’s tactical changes, including replacing Ryan Babel with Steven Bergwijn at half-time, helped his side get back in the game but the Netherlands coach criticised his players for being sloppy in possession at the Johan Cruijff Arena.