Netherlands coach Xavi Hernandez is satisfied with the first week in his position, but he now wants his team to provide a more powerful attacking performance in the next two European Nations League matches.
Hernandez, a World Cup winner with Spain, wants the Netherlands to play with more of the attacking intensity that led to a positive result last Thursday when the team's continuous attacks resulted in a last-minute equalizer against Germany in Amsterdam. This draw was followed by achieving the first victory under Xavi's leadership by defeating Serbia 2-1 yesterday. He said: “Getting the three points is the most important thing, and I am happy that we were able to achieve that. But we need to perform better because we did not press well, especially in the first half.” He added: “However, I am very satisfied after a week of work.”
Xavi praised Alkmaar striker Mix Meerdink, who played his first match as a substitute against Germany, then scored two goals in his first match as a starter with the Dutch national team against Serbia. Xavi said: “Mix is a very hardworking player and understands the way we want to play.”
He added: “He helped the team more than scoring goals, although those goals definitely helped. “The work he did for the team was amazing.”
The Netherlands national team faces its Greek counterpart in the next match in Thessaloniki on Thursday, then hosts Serbia in Eindhoven on Sunday. Xavi was clear about the areas that needed improvement compared to last week. He said: “For example, there were many moments when we had to use spaces, but we did not occupy them. This is something we need to improve. As well as other things, such as distributing the players horizontally on the field, and moving the ball more quickly.
He added: “But the most important thing is that we create a lot of chances. “The players feel comfortable on the field with the way we play, so a lot of things are going well as well.”
Thomas Tuchel, coach of the England national football team, admitted that he feels pressure before facing the Czech Republic, on Tuesday, in the European Nations League competitions, stressing that his team is required to respond quickly after the loss to Spain, and that he will play the match in an offensive manner “with full force” in an effort to achieve his first victory since the World Cup.
Tuchel's statements come after the dramatic defeat against Spain 3-2, in a match during which the England team performed well offensively, but failed to produce a positive result. The German coach said, according to the British newspaper The Telegraph, that the loss puts his team under some pressure, but he stressed that this is something that can be dealt with.
Tuchel said: “After the loss, we are all in dire need of a quick return, and the next opportunity is against the Czechs. "This puts some pressure, of course, but it's not something we can't handle."
He added: “If that is what is meant, will we try to impose our style as we did against Spain? The answer is yes, 100 percent. We need to be proactive and attack. There is no room for managing the game or playing economically. "This is the way the team wants to play, and it's the way we want to play too, so let's go and do it."
It does not seem that Tuchel is heading to make major changes to the squad that started against Spain, despite England playing four matches in 11 days during the current international break. Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham are expected to start against the Czech Republic, while goalkeeper James Trafford will get a new opportunity to start goalkeeping.
Tuchel is trying to build on the positive aspects that emerged during the summer, when the England national team reached the semi-finals of the World Cup before losing to Argentina in a match that caused widespread criticism, especially towards the coach’s decisions during the final minutes of the match.
The Telegraph had indicated that a number of the national team players felt shocked and disappointed by the way Tuchel managed the last 30 minutes of the match against Argentina, which made the German coach keen to maintain the cohesion of the group and strengthen what he described as “brotherhood” within the national team.
In this context, Declan Rice, who left the national team camp due to injury, was keen to visit the dressing room after the loss to Spain, in a move that reflects the players’ desire to maintain group cohesion despite the negative result.
The match against the Czech Republic is of special importance for Jude Bellingham, who gave a remarkable performance against Spain, and appeared during the match in more than one direct confrontation with the Spanish national team players, including his Real Madrid teammate Mark Cucurella.
Tuchel believes that Bellingham is more influential when he plays matches with a fighting spirit, and he said: “It is the only way he can play, as this is his style.” He has no economical way of playing.”
The German coach added: “It is better for Jude to play with some anger. It gets better when that happens. “I think sometimes he looks for these moments that ignite his enthusiasm.”
He continued: “I don’t think he knows what it means to have teammates during the match. He wants to win. "They're still friends, but not during the 90 minutes."
Tuchel wants to rely on Bellingham again, but he realizes that the pressure of matches requires careful physical calculations on him, especially since the player did not play a large number of matches this season before the current hiatus.
Tuchel said: “We will need to check his condition with the medical team. "We won't put Jude at any risk, but his style is the way he plays."
Tuchel hopes to keep as much of the starting lineup as possible, but he acknowledged that this may not be possible due to fatigue and injuries. He said: “I was hoping we would not make changes, but I am not sure that is possible.” The ideal scenario for me is that we do it again, and then again, and again, with at least six or seven players from the same starting lineup that we trust, so that they take responsibility and feel confident.”
In goalkeeping, James Trafford will get a new opportunity against the Czechs, after his good start with Leeds United this season, in a move that gives him an opportunity to strengthen his competition with Jordan Pickford for the position of first-choice goalkeeper for the English national team.
Trafford said: “It is the wish of every goalkeeper and every footballer to play for England and start.” Everyone believes that he can play as a starter, and everyone tries to prove that every day.”
He added: “Everyone is competing to participate. Every player in the group is at a high level, everyone is fighting for the game and giving everything they have. This is the nature of competition in every position.”
England is seeking against the Czechs to turn the good performance against Spain into a result, at a time when Tuchel faces an early test to maintain the confidence of his players and continue building on the national team’s journey after reaching the World Cup semi-finals.
Portugal coach Jorge Jesus explained that “the course of the match did not allow” the participation of veteran striker Cristiano Ronaldo, justifying the decision to keep him on the bench during the victory over Norway 2-1, on Sunday, in the European Nations League.
Jesus, who had previously worked with Ronaldo at the Saudi club Al-Nassr, had chosen not to include the 41-year-old star, even though he had confirmed before the match that he would participate, whether as a starter or from the bench.
Jesus explained that the decision not to field Ronaldo was not related to his physical condition, stressing that the player was ready to participate, and that the matter was a technical decision imposed by the course of the match.
He said: “He did not enter.” I was thinking about playing him, maybe for half an hour, but the match started to impose other matters. “I felt it was not the right time to introduce it.” He added, explaining: “I had already agreed with him to participate in the last half hour, and I told him that I would put you in the match, but the match was not asking for that. Gonçalo Ramos was performing well, scoring a goal, and had another goal disallowed, and I felt that the time was not right to take him out. As time passed, the moment was no longer appropriate for Cristiano to enter, but rather it became more important to include a player who would help ensure the balance of the team and the result.”
Jesus stressed that Ronaldo was in a physical condition that allowed him to play, saying: “It was not a matter of protecting him physically, because he was in a condition that allowed him to play for as long as I wanted.” When asked about Ronaldo heading directly to the tunnel leading to the dressing rooms without greeting the fans after the final whistle, the coach said that he did not notice the matter at first, and that he could not know the reason for the player’s behavior before speaking to him.
He added: “I did not notice that. I found out about it after the match, after I was asked several questions about it. Only he can answer why.” He added: “Of course, I will talk to him.” The national team is the national team, it is not like a club. But I cannot determine what was on his mind. I will find out after I talk to him.”
Portugal is now heading to face Denmark on October 1, where Jesus hinted at the possibility of Ronaldo returning to participate.
