Wesley Sneijder knee injury another concern for Netherlands

The Inter playmaker was left with mixed feelings and a sore knee in the wake of Denmark's surprise victory as he was left to bemoan his team-mate's poor finishing

Wesley Sneijder has revealed that he sustained a knee problem following his side's 1-0 defeat to Denmark in their opening Group B Euro 2012 clash on Saturday.

Bert van Marwijk's men succumbed to Michael Krohn-Dehli's only goal on 24 minutes, and the Oranje coach could deprived of his influential playmaker in the crucial second group game against Germany on Wednesday.

TEAM EXPERT VIEW

Peter McVitie | Netherlands Expert If the lack of sharpness up front wasn’t bad enough, an injury to Sneijder will be detrimental to the squad. Against Denmark, the Inter star created 10 chances, more than what any other player has fashioned in a European Championship finals game since 1980. He has been a consistent performer for the Dutch team, even when his club form has been less than spectacular. Because Van Marwijk utilises a system with two very strict holding midfielders and Sneijder playing in the attacking midfield role, there is little support for him and he is absolutely crucial in linking up midfield with attack.

"I have some trouble at the back of my knee," Sneijder told Telegraaf, though he did not say whether he would be ruled out of the decisive game against the Germans next week.

Sneijder, who was celebrating his 28th birthday, was one of the liveliest Dutch players on the pitch delivering trademark pinpoint passes throughout the game. But of the numerous chances he created, none were converted by his team-mates up front as he was left to rue his side's finishing.

"We were missing the final bit of decisiveness," Sneijder said.

"The strikers are keen to score and I play in behind them and give them the ball, but they must score. We played well and we were great at the beginning of the game.

"In the last half-hour we had two or three good chances. But in the last 10 minutes we were running on empty. However we kept fighting until the very last minute."

The defeat leaves the Dutch joint-bottom of Group B with Portugal, as Germany and Denmark lead the section with three points each.

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