Quote:
Originally Posted by V
LVG's first sub was definitely necessary. Martens Indi was getting torched on that side all half, and was on thin ice with the ref. Odds were pretty high that he would either be carded again or be responsible for a goal against. I'm not sure the second sub was a great decision. I think that's the one that hurt the most.
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I agree on Martens. In retrospect the ref stopped handing out cards, but at that point in the game it seemed like a good move, and did calm down that side a bit.
Subbing De Jong was probably because he wasn't truly fit to play the whole game, so again it was necessary. It also seemed to create some energy in the midfield, and after that point Netherlands had some 15-20 minutes of control over the game.
Then again starting De Jong in the first place was a risk that ultimately did not turn out to be worth taking. He didn't bring much, and "wasted" a substitution.
Van Gaal had also pretty much painted himself into a corner with the goalie situation. After last game he really should have saved that third sub for Krul.