The Dutch team is trying to face the consolation final of the Nations League in the best possible way, a competition in which it plays host. After losing in the semifinals against the Croatian team (2-4 after extra time), this Sunday Italy awaits in Enschede. The Dutch coach Ronald Koeman, confirmed in the hours before the game against the ‘squadra azzurra’ already FC Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong has ‘stepped up’ in the hierarchy of the national team to “second captain”, just behind Virgil van Dijk and ahead of Matthijs de Ligt.
Koeman is confident his internationals will be up to the task against Italy despite not reaching the final yet and warned it is time to test the qualifying matches for the Euro Cup in September. “We are already working hard to qualify for the 2024 Euro Cup,” said the former Barça coach, where he also trained De Jong.
At the age of 26, De Jong gets responsibility at Barça, where he closed his best season, and with the Oranje team. So Frenkie mentioned the excessive games that footballers currently have to face, referring, for example, to third and fourth place in the Nations League. Koeman pointed out that “there is still a lot of energy” in his team and joked when commenting on his midfielder’s reflection. “I told him ‘you will be home before the French, who play on Monday…’ We are all proud to play for the national team, every game. Then you go for the best result and in that game you have to focus on your own performance. I’ll take it for September’, Koeman warned De Jong about the next qualifying matches for the Eurocup with Greece (at home) and Ireland (away).
Ahead of the Netherlands-Croatia game, Frenkie de Jong told De Telegraaf that “the calendar is getting bigger”, and further criticized the schedule for a battle for third and fourth place in the Nations League (Sunday 18, 3:00) . pm .) as “this is a game that literally nobody likes.” In the same interview, by the way, he insisted on his belief to continue at Barça. “I’m fine here, I’ll continue at Barça,” he said.
The Blaugrana midfielder will start his vacation after the Nations League after a good season at Barça where he played 43 games scoring 2 goals and distributing 4 assists.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
