De Boer Didn't Call For Injured Van De Beek's Replacement, Netherlands Squad With 25 Players

Donny van de Beek (Twitter @Donny_beek6)

JAKARTA - The head coach of the Dutch national team Frank de Boer has decided not to call in a substitute following the exit of midfielder Donny van de Beek due to an injury.

The Dutch national team announced on Tuesday evening that Van de Beek would be absent from the main draw of Euro 2020 due to the Manchester United midfielder's injury, which has not yet been made clear.

"Of course it's a sad situation when someone has to leave the squad because of an injury," De Boer told the Dutch national team's official website.

Despite Van de Beek being left out of the squad, De Boer has decided not to call in a substitute and will stick with the 25-man squad for Euro 2020.

According to De Boer, it is not ideal for a player to join a squad that has spent the last two weeks in training together.

After all, he feels his squad is still reinforced by eight players in his midfield.

"To join the team at this stage is not ideal. We have two weeks together, I do not feel calling a substitute is the right move," said De Boer.

"I also have enough midfielders in the squad. Of course, there are situations that can make different decisions, but at the moment I tend to want to leave the squad as it is now," he concluded.

The Netherlands will start Euro 2020 hosting Ukraine at the Johan Cruijff Arena, Amsterdam, on Sunday, June 13.

The Netherlands' other two Group C matches will also be played at home, against Austria on 17 June and North Macedonia four days later.