The left-back was the subject of stinging criticism from former Dutch international Khalid Boulahrouz, who claimed Maatsen should apologise to his team-mates for his displays in the opening two group stage matches.
Boulahrouz let rip after the Dutch youngsters were beaten 2-1 by Denmark on Sunday night, leaving them with just one point from two games and in danger of making an early exit from the tournament.
Speaking on TV station Ziggo Sport, Boulahrouz - nicknamed ‘The Cannibal’ during his own playing career for his uncompromising style, tore into the Villa man.
The former Chelsea and Feyenoord defender said of Maatsen: "He should be deeply ashamed. He was involved in three goals against in two matches.
“He plays football as if he is playing football somewhere in the Vondelpark (a park in Amsterdam).
“That is not possible. If you are talking about necessity, I hope that Maatsen apologises to the group during dinner and says: ‘I am going to rest, I am going to sleep, but I am not going to eat, because I do not deserve it’."
Maatsen, who turned 23 in March, is among the senior members of the Dutch squad having been capped 19 times at under-21 level. He is eligible to still play for the team, despite his age, because he was 21 at the start of the tournament cycle.
After struggling in an unfamiliar midfield role during a 2-2 draw against Finland last week, boss Michael Reiziger moved him back to left-back for Sunday’s clash with the Danes.
But despite taking an early lead, his team fell to defeat after Newcastle youngster William Osula took advantage of slack defending to net twice.
Maatsen made 45 appearances for Villa following a £37.5million move from Chelsea last summer and has no shortage of big game know-how, having played in the 2024 Champions League final for Borussia Dortmund. And it was he who bore the brunt of Boulahrouz’s ire.
He continued: "He (Maatsen) has shown that he is a much better footballer than what he has shown in the last two games.
“He played in his own position today, come on man. What kind of performance is this?! If I were Reiziger, I would think: ‘I feel a little betrayed somewhere’.
“Maybe betrayed is a very big word, but: I have given you all my trust. I expect at least that you set an example for the group. And now you are a bad example for the group."
The Netherlands next face Ukraine on Wednesday in their final group stage match, needing a win to stand any chance of advancing to the knockout stages.