Virgil van Dijk conceded discovering the vitality for the Nations League finals on the finish of an extended season is tough however the Netherlands captain says he and his crew mates really feel it’s a main title worthy of chasing.
The Dutch defender might be main his crew in Wednesday’s opening semi-final of the four-nation event, towards World Cup runners-up Croatia in Rotterdam.
Italy and Spain play within the second semi on Thursday with the winners deciding the title on Sunday.
“It can be difficult finding the energy at the end of the season but in our case, almost 10 of our squad have already experienced a Nations League final and want to win it,” Van Dijk advised the pre-match press convention on Tuesday.
The Dutch misplaced 1-0 to hosts Portugal within the first Nations League last in 2019.
“We didn’t feel like we were playing for a cup then. Now it is more real, which may make the energy easier to create. In terms of the level at training, it has been very high in recent days,” he added.
“After losing the final against Portugal, we realised that we should have handled it better. It was the first edition, we didn’t really know how or what. Now the feeling is definitely there. We’d like to win the prize although Croatia is a tough team to beat.”
The Netherlands’ solely main title so far was European Championship success in 1988 when coach Ronald Koeman was within the crew.
“We can win a trophy in our own country,” Koeman advised the identical press convention.
“We’ve been looking forward to this for a long time. There are four strong countries and there is little to choose between us.
“We have to be very good against a strong Croatian team. They have been playing in the same formation for years and they are winners. If we show strong mentality, we have a good chance. Every competition you can win, you give everything towards. If you don’t win it, players will think later: ‘it was a great pity that we didn’t win’.”
Koeman confirmed that Justin Bijlow will begin in purpose towards Croatia after he dropped Jasper Cillessen from the squad and regardless of the return of World Cup first alternative Andries Noppert after harm. He refused to reveal any extra crew particulars.
