Old Reliable – Netherlands Star Hailed For Solid Display In Inter Milan 2-1 Urawa Red Diamonds FIFA Club World Cup Win | OneFootball

Stefan de Vrij has won praise for a solid display at the back for Inter Milan against Urawa Red Diamonds yesterday.

Today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews, hail the ever reliable Dutchman for his composure and control of his penalty area.

Stefan de Vrij started for Inter Milan against Urawa Red Diamonds. The 33-year-old took the place of Francesco Acerbi in the starting eleven from Inter’s first Club World Cup group stage match against Monterrey.

It was not necessarily the kind of match in which de Vrij typically thrives.

The former Lazio and Feyenoord defender is a very physical player with plenty of experience. Therefore, his comfort zone tends to be marking equally physical centre-forwards.

And Urawa Reds played without a real out-and-out striker for much of the match. Instead, quick winger Yatsuke Matsuo played up front for the Japanese team.

Stefan De Vrij Praised For Solid Display Vs Urawa Red Diamonds

VERONA, ITALY – NOVEMBER 23: Stefan de Vrij of FC Internazionale celebrates after scoring his team fourth goal during the Serie A match between Verona and FC Internazionale at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on November 23, 2024 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

De Vrij didn’t have too much of a problem adjusting to what Urawa Reds threw at him, though.

The 33-year-old safeguarded the Inter penalty area well. He was not really at fault for the Urawa Reds opening goal.

And de Vrij’s anticipation meant that he was always a step ahead of the Urawa Reds forwards to the ball.

Therefore, there was virtually no real danger from the Japanese team except for on their goal.