Giorgio Chiellini goes down flat with Stefan de Vrij

Stefan de Vrij in Chiellini’s crosshairs

For Giorgio Chiellini, who spoke at the microphones of 'Sky Sport' to comment on England's success against the Netherlands in the second semifinal of Euro 2024, the person responsible for the decisive mark, scored by Ollie Watkins at 91' has a name and a surname: Stefan de Vrij.

"Small details make the difference between a victory and a defeat,” the former Juventus and national team captain began. Watkins's movement was correct but it goes toward the flag, in those cases the only thing the defender should not do è want to catch the ball".

"Closing toward the second post would have allowed the goalkeeper to make an easy save instead…. Sure, the striker who scored sees it as a great goal, but it was easily avoidable, and I say this with displeasure towards De Vrij, who for me è a great defender. But this detail made the difference".

De Vrij played as a starter in all the matches at Euro 2024, even going on to score in the quarterfinal won 2-1 against Turkey (his goal was the provisional 1-1): for Chiellini, however, his miscalculation on marking against Watkins è cost the Oranje dearly.