Major debate over Dutch team's day off: 'Every player is discussed by the staff'

The Dutch national team decided to take a day off yesterday. For the starting eleven from the last match, this was their second consecutive rest day. Following a cool-down session after the Japan game, they had a light cycle, and only the substitutes completed a full training session. This decision drew considerable criticism, partly fueled by an interview with physiologist Raymond Verheijen.

Hedwiges Maduro, who played in the 2006 World Cup, believes the situation is being blown out of proportion. "They didn't really have two full days off, did they? This is standard procedure. In a normal training week, you have a cool-down, followed by a rest day. Why should it suddenly be different at a tournament? These players aren't machines," he explained.

According to him, providing this necessary rest is crucial. "The second day after a match is when your body is most fatigued, so you need that day off. The first day is focused on recovery, and for the substitutes to have a heavy training session." Robert Maaskant supports this theory. "Physiologically, you need to get rid of waste products, of course, and that's what the cool-down is for. You need to stimulate blood flow, so to speak, to flush all the toxins from your body. You can do that in a sauna, but the best way is on a bike."

Still, questions remain: isn't it crucial for players like Memphis Depay and Justin Kluivert, who are just returning from injury, to get enough stimulus? "Yes, I think they are training individually. It's simply a tailored approach for them," says Maaskant. "In all honesty, even with minimal effort, this team gets the best results. The focus now is on preparation and getting fit."

Reporter Aron Kattenpoel remains critical, referencing the interview with Verheijen. "Out of eight days, they haven't really trained for five. Not on match day, not the day before the match, and then they had one good training session the day after. Now they have another day off..." he pointed out.

"But I do think they are doing that," Maduro counters. "It seems unlikely they would give them a day off too. Everyone is discussed by the staff, player by player. Van Dijk and De Jong just need to be kept fit, whereas Memphis indeed needs to do a bit more. But they are taking care of that," Maduro reassures.

Maaskant then raises the stakes. "In fact, if they're not doing that, it would be grounds to dismiss this coaching staff. If you're not providing a tailored approach for this Dutch national team, with the resources available at the KNVB, then you're not meeting the top-level standards required. Nigel de Jong will have to check if that's happening. If not, then we shouldn't continue with this national coach."

In the new Sportnieuws.nl World Cup football podcast, Robert Maaskant, Hedwiges Maduro, and football analyst Aron Kattenpoel Oude Heerink discuss the latest developments at the World Cup and within the Dutch national team. They witnessed a phenomenal Lionel Messi, who they believe has now definitively surpassed Diego Maradona, and enjoyed watching France with star player Kylian Mbappé.

The impressive transfer of Jan Paul van Hecke is also covered, and Maduro and Maaskant debate the 'too nice' coaching staff of the Dutch team. Listen to a new episode every day at 7:30 AM on your favourite podcast platform.