Xavi Takes Responsibility as Netherlands Rally to Draw with Greece
Xavi accepted responsibility for the Netherlands’ poor opening half after his side recovered after the break to claim a late away draw, describing the response as an encouraging early step despite his frustration at the result.
First-half problems prompt Xavi apology
- The Netherlands struggled to create opportunities before half-time, with Xavi unhappy with both the team’s intensity and its ambition in possession.
- The 46-year-old said his original selection and tactical plan may have contributed to the disjointed display, telling his players at the interval that the first-half performance was his responsibility.
- Rather than confronting the squad angrily, Xavi kept his message measured. He said the players were disappointed and that the group needed to alter its mentality for the second period.
“The first half was really poor,” Xavi said. “We needed to make chances from the beginning, but we did nothing. There was not enough intensity or ambition. That was my fault. Perhaps the starting line-up was not right.”
He added that there had been no shouting in the dressing room. “I was calm. The players were a little sad. I said sorry, it was my fault. We had to change our mentality.”
Midfield changes alter the contest
Xavi introduced three midfielders after the interval, a move that gave the Netherlands greater control and changed the direction of the match. Oranje began to dictate the tempo, produced a markedly improved display and eventually earned a hard-fought point late on.
The draw did not satisfy the coach, but he viewed the second-half showing as evidence of what his side can become as he continues to shape the group.
“I am never happy with a draw, but it is part of the process,” Xavi said. “We want to play as we did in the second half. I am pleased with that. I saw two different faces, but this is only the start.”
The Netherlands will seek to take that second-half momentum into their forthcoming Nations League matches, while Xavi looks for a more assertive performance from the opening whistle.
