Dumfries backs Weghorst after heavy training clash with Geertruida

Denzel Dumfries has publicly backed Wout Weghorst after the 33-year-old striker faced criticism for a heavy challenge on Lutsharel Geertruida during a training session.

The incident occurred on Sunday following the Netherlands’ 5-1 victory over Sweden. Weghorst’s tackle on Geertruida drew immediate condemnation from assistant coach Henk ten Cate, who labeled it a "blind foul" and expressed strong disapproval.

Dumfries, however, dismissed the controversy, stating that the training session was productive. "I saw a good training session. I even said today that I’m glad the media aren’t always there when I train—otherwise you’d have a nice compilation of me," he joked at the press conference.

The right-back emphasized Weghorst’s commitment to the team. "Wout is a lad who gives everything. That’s just important for the group. These kinds of moments happen. I actually thought it was a completely normal training situation when you look at small-sided games. There was absolutely nothing else going on," Dumfries added.

Ten Cate had earlier criticized the challenge, calling it reckless. "I find it a blind foul. I can get very angry about this," he said.

The Netherlands’ training session followed their 5-1 win over Sweden, with Weghorst and Geertruida both involved in the incident during a high-intensity drill.

Dumfries’ remarks came during a press conference where he also reflected on the team’s performance and preparation.

The Oranje’s next fixtures are expected to follow their recent victory over Sweden, with focus shifting to upcoming qualifiers.

Geertruida and Weghorst are key players in the Dutch setup, with both featuring prominently in recent training sessions.