Manuel Akanji sent a four-word message to Nathan Ake after his masterful display for the Netherlands in their 2-1 win against Poland.
During the contest, Ake became the first player at Euro 2024 to register four key passes during the first-half of a game.
The Dutch media raved about the 29-year-old’s display at left-back, as he set up Cody Gakpo’s opener and played a deflected pass that led to Wout Weghorst’s winner. The £41 million man’s impressive showing allowed Ronald Koeman’s side to kickstart their Euro 2024 with a victory.
What Manuel Akanji said to Nathan Ake after Netherlands vs Poland
Akanji’s Switzerland side emerged triumphant against Hungary as well, beating them 3-1 on Saturday.
Apart from Mateo Kovacic and Josko Gvardiol, whose Croatia side lost 3-0 to Spain, other Manchester City players such as Rodri, Akanji and Ake all ended up on winning sides.
After the Netherlands’ well-deserved win against Poland, Ake took to Instagram to celebrate his nation’s triumph, as Akanji commented: “MOTM [Man of the Match].”
Nathan Ake deserved the Man of the Match award
As posted by UEFA Euro 2024 on X, Cody Gakpo won the award.
The Liverpool forward was electric, bursting past defenders for fun, scoring the crucial equaliser for his team and looking like a threat for most of the game.
Operating as a left-winger for Koeman’s side, Gakpo looked much more at home in the position than as a makeshift striker at Liverpool.
But as Akanji stated, Ake was the Man of the Match, considering how excellent he was, both from a defensive and offensive perspective.
Both in one-v-one situations and when defending inside the box, the four-time Premier League winner was flawless while playing a key role in both of the Netherlands’ goals on Sunday.
While Virgil van Dijk is renowned for his expansive passing range, it was Ake who was breaking the lines for fun and finding the likes of Cody Gakpo and Memphis Depay in dangerous positions.
Furthermore, Gakpo, who was taken off in the 81 minute was not as lively as in the first-half.
Ake, however, was consistently terrific throughout the game as he proved once again why is he one of the best defenders in the world.