Xabi Alonso responds to Koeman's criticism of Tah

Spain coach Xabi Alonso on Friday defended Germany centre-back Jonathan Tah in the face of criticism levelled at him by Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman after the Netherlands' Nations League clash with Germany.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of the Bundesliga clash in Hoffenheim, the Bayer Leverkusen coach described the defender as "very important" and said that what he did with the national team during the international break was none of his business.

"I saw him on Wednesday and yesterday (Thursday), and he had a good mood, a good feeling," the manager said of the player, who recently announced he will not extend his contract with Leverkusen, which expires this coming 2025.

Alonso stressed that he was not worried about Tah, as he did not expect his performance for the national team to affect his performance for the German club.

Koeman had criticised the defender after the Nations League match between the two sides. "He had big problems and made a lot of mistakes. After six fouls, he finally got a yellow card," the Dutch coach reproached him.