The Dutch national team will play against Croatia in the semi-finals of the Nations League tomorrow evening. National coach Ronald Koeman sees this game and a possible final as anything but a ‘snack’. “I have the feeling that we have to put something right compared to March”, the born Zaankanter just said at the press conference.
The Orange was beaten 4-0 by France barely three months ago. Three days later, the second European Championship qualifier did not go as planned either. Although the Orange won 3-0 against Gibraltar, a goal feast was expected against the dwarf state in advance.
Blind connects
“I have confidence and am optimistic that we will take those steps,” said Koeman in De Kuip. Due to the injury of Matthijs de Ligt, Daley Blind has been added to the selection. The former Ajax player was on the standby list.
Koeman revealed one name of the team that will start tomorrow evening: “Justin Bijlow is going to keep.” Whether the Feyenoord goalkeeper will be first choice for a longer period of time – provided he is fit – Koeman did not want to say. Andries Noppert of sc Heerenveen was first choice under the bar during the last World Cup under Louis van Gaal. The other goalkeeper in the selection is Mark Flek (Freiburg).
“It’s about the tension where you as a player have to keep a cool head”
If it turns out to be penalties against the strong Croats, it is unlikely that Bijlow will be replaced. “I’m not normally in favor of that. Or the difference between one keeper and the other has to be so big, but in principle I don’t.”
The Orange itself has trained on penalties in recent days. Koeman: “You can’t practice just the moment. It’s about the tension where you as a player have to keep a cool head.”
“I’d like to hold it up”
If Orange beats Croatia, the winner of Spain – Italy awaits on Sunday as their opponent in the final of the Nations League. Koeman and captain Virgil van Dijk indicated that they would like to win the cup. “I would like to hold it up,” said the Liverpool defender who lost to Portugal in the first edition of the Nations League.
Koeman: “For every prize you can win, you have to do everything. We would like to seize this opportunity. If you look back in a few years, you will regret if you did not win it.”
The Netherlands – Croatia starts tomorrow evening at 8.45 PM and will be played in the Rotterdamse Kuip. A day later, Spain and Italy play against each other.
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