The German manager hailed the PSV winger’s sensational debut cross, humorously crediting the youngster’s mother for a flash of technical brilliance that rescued a late international draw.
Jürgen Klopp was among those impressed by Ruben van Bommel's contribution as the PSV winger made his Netherlands debut against Germany on Thursday evening.
Klopp's first match as Germany head coach ended in a 1-1 draw at the Johan Cruijff Arena, with the Netherlands rescuing a point through Cody Gakpo in stoppage time.
The equaliser owed much to Van Bommel, who had come on for Crysencio Summerville in the 83rd minute. The PSV player produced a superb cross with the outside of his right foot, finding Gakpo, who finished emphatically at the far post.
Klopp immediately noticed the quality of the delivery and singled it out after the match.
“A sensational pass from Van Bommel. He didn't get that from his father. That use of the outside of the foot must come from his mother,” Klopp told RTL Deutschland.
It was a memorable introduction to international football for Van Bommel, who needed only a matter of minutes to make a decisive contribution to Xavi Hernández's first match as Netherlands head coach.
Van Bommel Assist Attracts International Attention
The quality of the assist also attracted attention beyond the Netherlands and Germany.
The Guardian highlighted the moment in its report, describing how Xavi was finally able to celebrate in stoppage time after Gakpo converted “a beautiful cross delivered with the outside of the foot by substitute Ruben van Bommel.”
As relayed by PSV Inside, French newspaper L'Équipe likewise focused on the PSV winger's role in the equaliser, reporting that the Netherlands snatched a draw through a “magnificent goal” from Gakpo, brilliantly set up by Van Bommel.
There was also significant attention in Belgium, where Van Bommel's debut carried an additional storyline given his father Mark's new role as Belgium's head coach.
Het Laatste Nieuws noted that Gakpo's equaliser arrived two minutes into stoppage time following a “magnificent assist” from Van Bommel, who was celebrating his first appearance for Oranje.
The newspaper also pointed out the timing of the achievement, with Mark van Bommel preparing to make his own debut as Belgium head coach on Friday.
For the PSV winger, the evening provided an immediate contribution at the international level. For Xavi, the late assist and Gakpo's finish ensured his first game in charge of the Netherlands ended with a draw.
