After the 1-2 defeat against France, the Netherlands is worried about taking part in the 2024 European Football Championship.
Ronald Koeman tried to be a comforter and motivator while the domestic media put their finger deep in the wound. “Oranje panic after defeat against Mbappé,” was the headline of “De Telegraaf” after the 1:2 (0:1) draw against vice world champions France in Amsterdam on Friday evening. The European Championship ticket is therefore in serious danger for the 1988 European champions after Kylian Mbappé’s double for the Equipe Tricolore.
“The fact that Mbappé scores two goals makes the difference at this level. We don’t have a player like that. But I’m proud of the team because they tried to come back until the last moment,” reflected Bond coach Koeman.
The ex-national player emphasized that he had seen a lot of positive things. The game on Monday (8:45 p.m./DAZN) in Athens will be a showdown; after their 2-0 win in Ireland, the Greeks are three points ahead of the Netherlands, who have played a game less. In the event of a defeat, there is a risk of elimination.
Leipzig star: “We have to keep our heads up”
“If we want to go to the European Championships, we have to win there,” said Oranje captain Virgil van Dijk. The Liverpool FC star struggled with “the sloppiness” in some scenes, which France used coldly.
Leipzig’s Xavi Simons, who revealed deficits in the backward movement, chimed in: “Unfortunately things aren’t going so well, but we have to keep our heads up and play a good game on Monday.”
Also due to major personnel concerns, Koeman’s team had no chance for a long time against the French star ensemble, who secured their ticket to the European Championship with their win, and fell behind early on after Mbappé’s goal (7th). After the 0:2, a dream goal from Mbappé (53rd), the Elftal scored the next goal through the strong debutant Quilindschy Hartman (83rd), but there was no turnaround.
However, the 2010 World Cup finalist can also take positive things from the defeat for the decisive game on Monday. “We fought and played some good football,” van Dijk praised his team. Unfortunately, the match plan was ruined early by the 0-1 defeat.
Oranje hopes to be able to call up attacker Wout Weghorst from TSG Hoffenheim again in Greece. He was substituted injured in the 38th minute against France, but he completed an individual training program again on Saturday.