REVEALED: Holland stars Cody Gakpo, Sven Botman and Matthijs De Ligt missed France defeat ‘because of a DODGY chicken curry’… with last Wednesday’s meal poisoning FIVE of Ronald Koeman’s stars ahead of 4-0 hammering
- Five Holland players left the camp this week after suffering from a virus
- Dutch reports claim that the virus was brought on by a dodgy chicken curry
- Ronald Koeman’s side were thrashed 4-0 at the Stade de France on Friday night
The five Dutch players who missed Holland’s 4-0 defeat against France on Friday were out because of a dodgy chicken curry, according to reports.
Cody Gakpo, Sven Botman, Matthias De Ligt, Joey Veerman and Bart Verbruggen all left Ronald Koeman’s training camp with flu-like stomach complaints ahead of their Euro 2024 qualifier against World Cup finalists France.
Les Bleus thrashed Holland thanks to goals from Antoine Griezmann, Dayot Upamecano and recently-appointed skipper Kylian Mbappe, who was hailed by French media after the win.
Koeman was already without Frenkie de Jong, Steven Bergwijn, Teun Koopmeiners and Andries Noppert through injury before the virus spread throughout the Dutch camp. Meanwhile, Inter Milan wing-back Denzel Dumfries was also absent because of a suspension.
According to Dutch outlet De Telegraaf, the virus was brought on by a dodgy chicken curry, consumed by the five players on Wednesday evening – two nights before the clash at the Stade de France.
Five Dutch players including Cody Gakpo (pictured) are suffering from a flu-like stomach bug
Sven Botman (pictured centre) left the Dutch camp along with Gakpo, Matthias De Ligt, Joey Veerman and Bart Verbruggen (not pictured) after falling ill from a dodgy chicken curry
Ronald Koeman’s depleted side were thrashed 4-0 by France at the Stade de France on Friday
The defeat left Holland rock bottom of their Euro 2024 qualifying group.
The Dutchmen will look to make amends on Monday when they host Gibraltar, who suffered a 3-0 defeat in their qualifying curtain-raiser against Greece yesterday.
Koeman will hope to have his ill and injured players back as quickly as possible, eager to refine his side ahead of their crucial Nations League semi-final against Croatia in June.
A victory would see them face either Spain or Italy in the final.
Recently-appointed France captain Kylian Mbappe scored twice as France hammered Holland
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