Virgil Van Dijk’s record of not been ‘dribble past’ since last 64 games still stand, even though the Dutch defender was beaten by Gabriel Jesus.
Virgil Van Dijk had a phenomenal campaign in the last season across all competitions, as his rock-solid defending made every forward sweat. The Dutch International also made a record of not being dribbled past even once in the last 64 games he has played.
However, in his recent encounter against Manchester City in the Community Shield match, Gabriel Jesus was seen making a dribble past Van Dijk to break his extraordinary record, which even Lionel Messi failed to do in the two legs of the Champions League.
None of this “Van Dijk can’t be dribbled past” nonsense pic.twitter.com/cGKSXOAjW7
— Joe ❼ (@McfcRichyV2) August 4, 2019
Also read: Man Utd Transfer News: Manchester United reject lucrative offer for Chris Smalling from Everton
Even though Jesus made a phenomenal dribble past Van Dijk, but unfortunately it will not get into the official record, meaning Van Dijk’s incredible record still stands.
A spokesperson from the FA told talkSPORT that the FA declassified the ‘season curtain-raiser’ five years ago and that means that goals, assists and cards in the match at Wembley don’t count towards a players record.
The match was considered a ‘second-grade’ game and therefore any stats don’t count. Thus, the bar for not being dribbled past might rise even higher after the first game-week of the Premier League.
Which means that the yellow card given to Pep Guardiola will also not stand for the matches coming ahead. Moreover, goals by Joel Matip and Raheem Sterling will not be included in their season’s tally.
Even though Van Dijk was able to secure his individual record, but his team failed to triumph the Community Shield title, the game went onto the penalties after the game ended 1-1 during the normal game time, and Alisson Becker failed to stop even one penalty to make the Citizens win the game.
How Twitter reacted
https://twitter.com/YourMCFC/status/1158057992127778816?s=20
Virgil van Dijk was not successfully dribbled past in either the Premier League or Champions League in 2018-19.
Gabriel Jesus successfully dribbled past him in the first game of the 2019-20 season. #CommunityShield pic.twitter.com/Xa1TMzyutK
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) August 4, 2019
Despite Opta claiming differently, not true van Dijk has lost his record of 65 competitive games without being dribbled past – FA long ago declassified Comm Shield as competitive game. No stats count; no goals, no cards (Guardiola escaped too) #LFChttps://t.co/lUVbPxSlUU
— David Maddock (@MaddockMirror) August 5, 2019
https://twitter.com/SemperFootball/status/1158073765567324160?s=20
https://twitter.com/YourMCFC/status/1158055615593426944?s=20
Van Dijk gets dribbled past for the first time in 65 competitive appearances (dating back to March 2018) & Twitter erupts. Shows the ridiculous standard he's set himself as the best centre-back in the league/world.
— Leanne Prescott (@_lfcleanne) August 4, 2019
Virgil Van Dijk was dribbled past after 65 competitive appearances.
Gabriel Jesus the man to do so!#ManCity pic.twitter.com/4TADLd3w4X
— Superbia Proelia (@SuperbiaProeIia) August 4, 2019
