Euro 2024: red cards, insulting celebration, the duel between Dumfries and Hernandez during Netherlands – France could be hot

La fameuse affiche brandie par Dumfries en avril dernier. Capture d'écran

The meeting between the Netherlands and the French team, this Friday, June 21, will be the scene of a reunion between the two players, whose duels during the Milan derbies are very electric.

One plays on the left, the other on the right. One plays for AC Milan, the other for Inter Milan. Lucas Hernandez and Denzel Dumfries will come face to face on Friday in a Netherlands – France to which their announced duel gives a certain electricity. For a new episode of dog love established in Italy for several seasons.

"I'm calm", Hernandez promised last Saturday at a press conference. However, the final chapter of this not exactly romantic novel only dates back to April 28.

An “inappropriate” poster brandished by the Dutchman

While the Nerazzurri celebrate their 20th Scudetto in the streets, supporters hold a banner to the Dutchman. Perched on his double-decker bus, Dumfries brandishes the poster. Inspired by the famous video game GTA V, it shows a man with the head of the Inter piston holding a rottweiler with Hernandez on a leash. Bad taste guaranteed.

Dumfries later apologized, citing on Instagram an “inappropriate image,” an “error in judgment,” and an “unintelligent act.” But the damage is done, the rivalry has extended beyond the pitch.

A soap opera rivalry

Since the Dutchman's arrival in Serie A in 2021, it had been confined there. But it had immediately exploded. From their first meeting, on February 5, 2022, Hernandez had thus received a red card in the 95th minute for a tackle from behind on Dumfries. Since then, several clashes have punctuated their reunion, including a wrestling hold by the Frenchman on the former PSV Eindhoven player, in the semi-final of the Champions League, in May 2023.

Until April 22 and a victory for Inter in the derby, synonymous with the title. In the 94th minute, Hernandez pushed an opponent and Dumfries intervened. What followed were sweet words, a fight and two red cards.

"We will never go to dinner together"

Netherlands – France therefore just has to behave. Unless the two players have buried the ax of their Milan war. "There is a very important rivalry between Inter and Milan. What happened that day…hellip; That's one of the things that's happening. I am calm. If I see him, I'll say hello, there's no problem, promised the Blues full-back.

Same story on the Oranje side: "I have no problem with Théo. He loves Milan, I love Inter and it’s always great to face him on the pitch, because it’s real fights with him, a explained Dumfries to Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzo on Tuesday. I don't feel any hatred towards him." "But of course we don't  rsquo;never go to dinner together", he added. On Friday, it will still be necessary to observe if one does not eat the other.